The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team’s upset bid of No. 9 Washburn came up short Saturday night as the Lady Blues held on for a 64-53 victory over the Bearcats inside Lee Arena.

The Bearcats continue to fight for their MIAA postseason lives as they fell to 11-10 on the season and 5-8 in conference action. Washburn, who has already clinched a postseason berth, holds on to the top spot in the league at 11-1 and 17-3 overall.

Entering Saturday’s game the Lady Blues ranked fourth in NCAA Division II in scoring defense as they had held their last five opponents to under 50 points.

Northwest jumped out to an early lead when a Monique Stevens three-pointer gave the Bearcats a 5-0 lead. However the Lady Blues would answer with an 8-2 run to take their first lead of the game with 14:15 left in the half.

Washburn continued to turn up the pressure as they finished the first half with a 16-4 run and took a 28-17 lead into the locker room. The Lady Blues were able to capitalize off Bearcat miscues with 15 points  off Northwest turnovers. The Bearcats managed only one point off 12 first half turnovers.

In the second half Northwest would make a late run cutting the Washburn lead to 10 with under a minute left in the game, however, Washburn was too much for the Bearcats in the end.

The Bearcats did manage to shoot 63 percent in the second half, but 24 turnovers and a 7-for-13 effort from the free-throw line were too much to overcome.

Led by Maggie Marnin with 17 points the Bearcats were the first team since Northeastern State on Jan. 16 to score at least 50 points on the Lady Blues.

Washburn was led by Laura Kinerknecht with 14 points and two rebounds. Kinerknecht also finished the evening with four of Washburn’s six three-pointers in the win.

Northwest earns rematches next week with both Washburn and Fort Hays State. Wednesday the Bearcats host the Tigers at Bearcat Arena and entertain the Lady Blues Saturday, Feb. 16. Tipoff on Wednesday is set for 5:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —