The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting night as they fell to Missouri Southern 64-55 Thursday night in MIAA action.

The Bearcats dropped their first league game to move to 2-1, as their four-game winning streak also came to an end. Northwest fell to 8-3 on the season as Missouri Southern improved to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Missouri Southern out-rebounded the Bearcats 25-6 in the first half, but 18 Lion turnovers gave Northwest a 28-25 lead at intermission.

However, in the end, it was the bigger team that pulled out the victory Thursday, as Northwest managed to only shoot 31 percent from the field on the night with one player in double figures.

Ashleigh Nelson finished with a team-high 12 points.

Northwest held a slim lead most of the second half before the Lions went on a 12-2 run and took a 10-point lead with just under four minutes left in the game. The Bearcats would slowly chip away in the final minutes, but crucial free-throws down the stretch helped the Lions seal the victory.

The Bearcats found opportunities at the free-throw line as well, although the cold shooting extended to the charity stripe. Northwest shot just 21-of-33 from the free-throw line as the woes plagued the Bearcats on the glass, losing the rebounding battle 44-23.

Four different Lions scored in double figures as they were led by Tee Singleton with 13 points.

The Bearcats continue their January road swing with a quick turnaround on Saturday at Pittsburg State. Tipoff from John Lance Arena is set for 11:30 a.m. as the game is part of the CBS Sports Network NCAA Division II Game of the Week.

— NWMSU Sports Information —