Box Score Malachi Nix scored a career-high 30 points to direct Rockhurst to an 81-65 victory over McKendree Thursday night at Mason-Halpin Field House.
Nix connected on 11-of-14 field goals, including hitting four-of-six three-pointers. He also was a perfect four-of-four at the foul line, an addition to collecting five rebounds and four assists.
"I thought Malachi was sensational tonight both on the offensive end and as a communicator on the defensive end getting our guys in the right spots,"Â said Rockhurst coach Drew Diener.
Nix and Alex Hagan combined for 23 points to lead the Hawks (8-6, 2-4 GLVC) to a 36-26 halftime lead. Rockhurst shot 60.7 percent in the second half and led by 21 points (64-43) midway through the second half.
Hagan finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Travis House scored nine points. Connor Evans and Kaleb Warner combined for 15 points and seven rebounds.
"I thought it was a great defensive performance for us tonight,"Â Diener added. "They have some very good offensive weapons who can play good one-on-one basketball, and I thought we had a great team defensive approach against them."
Rockhurst shot 49.2 percent from the field (32 of 65) and 34.5 percent on three-pointers (10 of 29). McKendree made 26-of-55 field goals (47.3 percent).
The Hawks host Illinois Springfield on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.).
