MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team took its first baby steps to a MIAA victory Thursday evening at Bearcat Arena.

Although the Bearcats eventually lost 71-54 to Nebraska-Kearney, they held a lead in the second half against a MIAA opponent.

Northwest was in good shape 3 minutes into the second half. Leading 32-31, senior Ariel Easton made a basket that gave the Bearcats a 34-31 with 16:40 left.

Nothing in the first 23 minutes hinted at what was about to come next. The Bearcats were getting consistent offense from juniors Taylor Shull and Morgan Walker.

The most Northwest trailed in the first half was five points and that came in the final minute.

It appeared the Bearcats were going to avoid the long scoring droughts, which have plagued them in conference play.

Unfortunately, it struck again. Northwest went cold and Nebraska-Kearney got hot. The Lopers went on a 16-0 run and took a 47-34 lead.

The Bearcats finally got on the scoreboard again on two free throws by freshman Tanya Meyer with 11:25 left in the game.

Meyer made two free throws and layup that helped Northwest close to 49-40. But the Bearcats were unable to put together a scoring run.

Nebraska-Kearney simply had too much offence from sophomore Kelsey Fitzgerald, who finished with 17 points and freshman McKenzie Brown, who finished with 19 points.

Leading the way for Northwest was Shull and junior Tember Schechinger, who each scored 10 points.

Despite going into halftime down 28-25, Northwest played its best first half against MIAA competition this season.

Past the halfway point in the first half, Northwest grabbed a 17-16 lead on a basket by Walker, who shot the ball with confidence and scored six points in the first 20 minutes. Baskets by Walker also tied the game at 19-19 and 23-23.

Nebraska-Kearney scored the next five points, but the Bearcats refused to let their deficit grow too big. Shelby Mustain field goal in the paint pulled Northwest to within three points.

— David Boyce, Northwest Athletics —