The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team could not complete the comeback as the Bearcats fell to MIAA foe Southwest Baptist on Thursday, 84-72.

SBU started the game by not missing a shot and pulled out to an early 21-5 lead in the first eight minutes of the contest. From then on Northwest was battling to get back in the game.

Northwest shot 41% in the first half compared to SBU who had shot a season high 68% from the floor and headed into halftime with a 16 point lead, 46-30.

Ariel Easton finished the first half leading the Bearcats in scoring with 10 points.

Northwest worked hard in the second half to claw their way back into the game. At one point in the first half the Bearcats were down 23, but with under two minutes to play, Annie Mathews had a steal which led to Ashleigh Nelson scoring on a layup. The lead was cut to five, 73-68.

The Bearcats were unable to pull off the comeback as they fell to SBU 84-72.

Annie Mathews finished one rebound shy of a double-double as she led the team in scoring with 20 points. Easton had 19 points, seven assists and added four rebounds.

Northwest falls to 5-10 overall and 2-6 in MIAA action. The Bearcats will be back in action in Bearcat Arena Saturday as they take on No. 8 Central Missouri with tip-off scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —