ST. JOSEPH – Rivalry Saturday lived up to its billing as the 13th-ranked Missouri Western women’s basketball team used a dominant second half to stay undefeated and keep Northwest Missouri State winless in MIAA play with an 82-73 victory.

Missouri Western trailed 45-38 at the break after falling behind by as many as 10 in the first half. The Griffons would regain the lead early in the third quarter thanks to a 9-0 run to open the second half. Missouri Western limited Northwest Missouri to nine points in the third quarter, scoring 22 itself. Overall in the second half, Missouri Western outscored Northwest 44-28 to pick up the 82-73 win.

LaQuinta Jefferson finished with a game-high 25 points on 40 percent field goal shooting. Mhykeah Baez added 13 points and a team-high six rebounds. Sarafina Handy shot 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three point range, finishing with 15 points. Julia Torres finished with 11 points.

The Griffons begin a challenging six-game stretch on Wednesday at Washburn, followed by a trip to No. 8 Emporia State on Jan. 16.

— MWSU Athletics —