The important lesson Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team can learn from its 59-55 loss to William Jewell is the value of each possession.

Turnovers led to Northwest’s first loss of the season Saturday evening at Bearcat Arena.

Despite miscues in the second half, Northwest managed to build its biggest lead at 54-45 with less than 7 minutes left.

Northwest appeared to be in control, but the Bearcats kept giving the ball away without putting up a shot.

William Jewell finally took advantage, scoring the next nine points and tied the game at 54-54 with 1:20 left.

A minute later, Northwest finally scored again on a free throw by Monique Stevens that gave the Bearcats a slim 55-54 lead with 21 seconds left.

The dagger came 14 seconds later when Jessie Wheeler made her third three-pointer of the game. It gave William Jewell only its third lead of the game and the first since midway in the second half.

Northwest called timeout and then turned the ball over on the in-bound play, which sealed the victory for Jewell.

The Bearcats, though, still had a few bright moments. Meridee Scott played well offensively, making six of nine shots for 14 points. Ashleigh Nelson also had a solid game off the bench. She scored 12 points and had several nifty passes.

Northwest just could not overcome the 25 turnovers.

The first half was almost identical to the second half.

Northwest led all but two possessions in the first half, but needed a three-pointer by Ashley Thayer in the closing seconds to take a 23-21 lead into halftime.

After building an early 10-3 lead on the strength of Scott’s outside shooting, Northwest struggled much of the first half against William Jewell’s full-court press.

Slowly, Jewell inched closer and in the final minute, took a 21-20 lead on two free throws by Holly Switzer.

— NWMSU Sports Information —