EDMOND, Okla. – In the last few minutes of the first half, Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball coach Michael Smith kept saying, “we have more turnovers than points.”

It was a true statement until the final seconds of the first half when freshman Alexa Schaaf swished a three-pointer. It was the 15th point of the half. The Bearcats had 14 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play.

Northwest never recovered from the 19-point halftime deficit and lost 68-38 to Central Oklahoma Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.

The Bearcats started well. Two baskets by junior Tember Schechinger and another by sophomore Shelby Mustain gave Northwest an early 6-4 lead.

The field goal that gave Northwest the two-point lead caused Central Oklahoma coach Guy Hardaker to call timeout with 17:24 left in the first half.

Momentum changed from that point on. Turnovers by Northwest prevented the Bearcats from putting up a shot in three straight possessions. The Bronchos took advantage, spurting to a 9-6 lead.

After junior Morgan Walker hit 15-foot jumper that closed the gap to 9-8, the Bearcats went ice cold. Central Oklahoma got hot.

The Bronchos went on a 22-2 run for a 31-10 lead. Despite a couple of baskets by Northwest in the final minute of the first half, the Bearcats went into halftime down 34-15.

Northwest went 7-for-26 from the field for 27 percent in the first half. The four points that Schechinger scored 3 minutes into the game was the most by a Northwest player.

The Bearcat executed much better on offense to start the second half, scoring 10 points in the first 5 minutes. Junior Taylor Shull had five points and Schaaf drained her second three-pointer of the game.

Unfortunately, Northwest was unable to close ground. The Bearcats trailed 46-25 with 14 minutes left.

The good news for the Bearcats was all 11 players scored at least two points. The bad news was the leading scorer only had six points, which came on the two three-pointers Schaaf made.

— David Boyce, Northwest Athletics —