Trying to stave off elimination from next month’s MIAA tournament the Northwest Missouri State women’s second half comeback fell just short as they dropped a 66-56 decision to Central Missouri Saturday in MIAA action.

The Bearcats were not able to complete a comeback that saw Northwest trail by as many as 19 in the second half to fall to 5-12 overall and 3-15 in conference play. The Jennies, who have already clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament, improved to 18-6 on the year and 12-6 in league play.

Northwest used a 15-3 run to pull within six points as Abby Henry hit back-to-back three pointers and Tara Roach hit a hook shot in the middle of the lane with 1:02 left in the game. The Bearcats would be forced to foul twice as the Jennies pulled in the rebound on the first missed free throw.

UCM would make the second attempts pushing the lead to eight with 45 seconds left. The Bearcats could not get their final attempts to go down as the Jennies completed the regular season sweep.

The early deficit proved too large for the Bearcats as UCM raced out to a 7-0 lead. Northwest would not score until the 13:34 mark of the first half on a Maggie Marnin jumper in the lane. Marnin would finish with 14 points in the loss.

Senior guard Shelly Martin went 3-of-6 from behind the three-point line to lead all players with 19.

Shaquanda Wiggins led the Jennies with 15 points.

Northwest heads to Southwest Baptist on Tuesday looking for a sweep of the Bearcats still needing two wins and help to get into next month’s MIAA tournament. Tipoff from Bolivar is set for 5:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —