SAN ANTONIO - Nolan Richardson poured in 32 points to lead Midwestern State to an 84-78 win over Northwest Missouri State Saturday afternoon in the River City Classic at Bill Greehey Arena.

Richardson, who was coming off of a career-best 34-point performance Wednesday against Texas A&M, became the first MSU player to score 30 points in consecutive games since former NAIA All-American Robert Harris dropped 37 and 33 points on consecutive dates against Texas A&M-Commerce and Dallas Baptist on Jan. 23 and 24, 1987.

The senior guard from Tulsa keyed a 16-3 MSU run midway through the first half as the Mustangs turned a 28-18 deficit into a 34-31 lead 58 second before intermission when Marcus Anderson nailed his second 3-pointer of the contest.

The Mustangs systematically built a 15-point advantage in the second half, but had to survive late scare from Northwest Missouri.

The Bearcats hit three-straight treys to narrow a 13-point Midwestern lead with 1:23 to go to a 79-75 advantage just 31 seconds later.

But that's as close as Northwest would get as the Mustangs hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final 26 seconds to preserve the win.

Richardson connected on 9-of-18 shots from the field including three 3-pointers and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

He was joined in double figures by Anderson, who finished with a season-high 15 points, as well as Earl Rabb and Trajinski Grigsby with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Northwest Missouri State, which placed each of its starters in double figures, was led by senior forward Hunter Henry, who finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Mustangs (5-4) close the River City Classic with No. 16 Ouachita Baptist Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Northwest Missouri State fell to 4-5 on the season.

Notes

* Senior guard Nolan Richardson can become the first MSU player since Ray Schumann to score 30 points in three consecutive games Sunday afternoon against Ouachita Baptist. Schumann splashed in 31 against Wayland Baptist on Jan. 9, 1954 before scoring 39 in consecutive game at Trinity (Texas) on Jan 14 and 15, 1954.

* Former NBA coaching legend Cotton Fitzsimmons narrowly missed the feat at Midwestern in 1955-56. Fitzsimmons followed a 29-point effort against Southwest Missouri State on Dec. 31, 1955 with 31 points at Iona on Jan. 4, 1956 and 34 points at St. Francis (Pa.) on Jan. 9 of the same year.