In what was a tale of two opposite halves, Northwest Missouri State’s upset bid of 16th-ranked Central Missouri fell just short in a 60-52 loss Saturday in women’s MIAA basketball action.
The Bearcats fell to 10-7 on the season and 4-5 in league play while Central Missouri improved to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA. Northwest dropped its second straight road game to end a stretch that saw the Bearcats play six of their last seven games away from Bearcat Arena.
After leading the entire first half the Bearcats fell cold in the second half shooting only 37 percent from the field compared to 52 percent in the first half. The cold streak hit the Bearcats at possibly the worst time, as Northwest was held scoreless over the final 5:25 of the game.
After taking a 14-0 lead to start the game the Bearcats held onto a slim 28-26 lead at halftime.
The Northwest lead was quickly erased as the Jennies got back-to-back three-pointers from BreAnna Lewis to start the half and take a 32-28 lead.
However the Bearcats never trailed by more than six and even regained the lead after an 8-0 run pushed Northwest ahead by two, 48-46 with 10:41 left in the game. A brief minute saw Northwest lead again with 7:26 left in the game before the Jennies pulled back ahead 52-50.
Ultimately it was struggles at the free-throw line and beyond the three-point arc that doomed the Bearcats. Northwest finished 2-for-10 from behind the three-point line and missed all five chances in the second half in addition to getting only a pair of free-throws from Monique Stevens in the final seven minutes of the game.
Annie Mathews continued her solid play for the Bearcats with her fifth double-double of the season adding 10 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out.
Maggie Marnin finished with a team-high 14 points in the loss.
UCM was led by BreAnna Lewis who finished with a game-high 23 points including knocking down five three-pointers.
Northwest returns to Bearcat Arena to close out January as they host Northeastern State (Okla.). Next Thursday’s game with the RiverHawks continues a tough stretch against six of the league’s top seven teams. Tipoff from Maryville is set for 5:30 p.m.
— NWMSU Sports Information —