The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat women’s basketball team dropped its fifth straight game Saturday, but it took an overtime effort from Nebraska-Omaha to claim the 72-70 victory inside Sapp Fieldhouse in non-conference women’s basketball action.

The Bearcats fell to 2-8 on the year while the Mavericks, who made the move to NCAA Division I status over the summer, improved to 7-3 overall. Northwest will return to MIAA action next Saturday as they travel to Fort Hays State.

UNO took a slim 36-35 lead in the half, but the Bearcats would rally to force the extra period at 64-64. Shelly Martin scored 10 second half points to help push Northwest even with UNO at the end of regulation.

Northwest would jump out to an early lead in overtime as Martin knocked down a pair of free throws. It was Martin’s only trip to the line as she finished with a team-high 19 points.

The Mavericks would also knock down their free throw shots tying the game for the 10th-time of the afternoon, but a jumper from Tara Roach would give Northwest a two-point lead again with 1:31 left. However, the Mavericks drilled back-to-back three-pointers with under 1 minute to play to take a four-point lead, 72-68.

Abby Henry then got two solid looks at the basket to pull Northwest back within a score, but each shot fell off the mark. Henry would close the gap to 72-70, as she knocked down a jumper at the buzzer. Henry closed the day with 16 points.

Both teams shot under 40 percent on the afternoon, but it was a 43 percent shooting effort from UNO behind the three-point line that helped the Mavs overcome 27 turnovers. The Bearcat defense was extremely active recording 17 steals as well.

UNO had three players’ record double-doubles as Paige Frauendorfer finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Jamie Nash led all players with a game high 21 points for the Mavs.

— NWMSU Sports Information —