The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team came up short Wednesday night at Joplin, falling to Missouri Southern 60-59.

The Bearcats’ two-game winning streak comes to an end as they fall to 6-13 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA.  The Lions improve their record to 12-5 and 6-3.

Ariel Easton led all scorers with 27 points, while Tember Schechinger recorded her second double-double of the season, accumulating 10 points and 10 rebounds.

After Missouri Southern scored 11 straight points midway through the second half, Taylor Shull drained a 18-foot jump shot to give the Bearcats a 55-52 advantage. Ariel Easton hit a 10-foot jumper to push the lead to five points.

The Lions proceeded to take their first lead since the first three minutes of the game when Kenya Brown knocked down a trey with 1:57 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Easton drove into the lane and hit a layup to put the Bearcats back on top, 59-58.

Tember Schechinger blocked a shot on the defensive end, but Northwest was unable to capitalize on offense. Nicole Hartzog made two free throws with 28 seconds left for the final points of the contest.

Northwest will take the weekend off and return to action next Thursday (Jan. 28) when they host the Lindenwood Lions. The women’s game will begin at 5:30 followed by the men’s game at 7:30.

— Northwest Sports Information —