The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team earned their third victory of the season Wednesday as they defeated the University of Saint Mary 64-46.

The Bearcats scored the first points of the contest and went up 2-0, but did not regain the lead until the second half.

Saint Mary held a 12 point lead at one point in the first half before Northwest closed the gap and trailed the Spires 25-22 going into halftime.

Ashleigh Nelson led all scorers at the half with 10 points while Ariel Easton added eight points of her own to make up 18 of the team’s 22 first half points.

The Bearcats came out of the locker room and went on a 13 to 5 run to start the second half as they took a 35-30 lead.

Northwest never took their foot off the pedal as they climbed to a double-digit lead and finished the final five minutes of the game on a 16-4 run which helped seal the victory over Saint Mary, 64-46.

Easton finished with a double-double scoring 16 points and adding 14 rebounds with two assists.

Northwest moves their season record to 3-6, 0-2. The Bearcats return to MIAA action as they travel to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —