The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball led from start to finish as they raced past Midland University, 78-45 Monday night in non-conference action from Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats won their fourth straight to improve to 8-2 on the season as they head into the Christmas break.

Monique Stevens was outstanding for the Bearcats as the junior transfer scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Stevens scored the first six points for Northwest and recorded her first of a season-high seven assists, to break an 8-8 tie with 16:06 left in the first half.

From there Northwest would not look back. The Bearcats slowly pulled away from the Warriors before a 13-2 run gave them a 35-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was all green and white as the Bearcats open the period with an 11-1 run to help build a 15 point lead. The Bearcats would shoot 82 percent from the free throw line as the lead grew to as large as 37 before settling at the final 78-45.

Northwest turned up the pressure defensively forcing 29 Midland turnovers. It was the third straight game the Bearcats have recorded double digit steals finishing the night with 15.

Maggie Marnin led all players with 19 points as the sophomore added five rebounds in the win.

The Bearcats take two weeks off before returning to the hardwood Jan. 3 against Missouri Southern. A busy start to 2013 sees Northwest at Pittsburg State just two days later on Jan. 5 in a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network.

— NWMSU Sports Information —