MARYVIILLE, Mo. – The seventh-ranked Missouri Western Women’s basketball team matched a program-high 24 regular season wins with a tough, 66-59 victory at Northwest Missouri State.

The Griffons withstood a late push by Northwest Missouri to improve on their record MIAA win total (18). Missouri Western led by 16 with 6:07 left in the third quarter, but Northwest was able toc chip at the lead, getting withing five with 26 seconds left. The Griffons iced it with two free throws from Sarafina Handy. A 12-2 run by Missouri Western to end the first half helped the Griffons take a 38-28 lead to halftime that quickly ballooned to the 16-point lead that was the largest of the game for Missouri Western.

Mhykeah Baez led the Griffons with a career-high 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. LaQuinta Jefferson finished with 16 points and a team-high four assists. Miliakere Koyamainavure finished with 12 points.

The win improved Missouri Western’s record to 24-2 overall and 18-2 in the MIAA. One more win would set a new program record for regular season wins. Missouri Western wraps the regular season next week with home games against Washburn and Central Missouri.