The four-game winning streak by Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team came to a screeching halt because the Bearcats surrendered too many offensive rebounds.
The 19 offensive boards by Missouri Southern gave the Lions enough second-chance points to pull out a 64-60 overtime victory over Northwest evening at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
“It came down to rebounding,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “We knew that was going to be the difference. The last three games they (Lions) lost, the team that led in second-chance points was the team that won.”
Northwest was outscored 19-5 in second chance points so it was amazing they took the game to overtime and even held a four-point lead late in overtime.
The loss dropped Northwest to 9-13 overall and 6-9 in the MIAA, but Smith and the Bearcats leave Joplin encouraged. They nearly pulled out an upset road win against the fifth place team in the MIAA.
“For us to come on the road and play a team like that, give up 19 offensive rebounds and have 23 turnovers and take them to overtime, say a lot about our kids’ heart and fight,” Smith said. “We have some kids who are really starting to play well for us.
“I told our kids now we start a new streak.”
Fatigue played a part in the Bearcats sluggish second half.
“We are playing with a pretty short rotation right now,” Smith said. “We got away from our defensive game plan a little bit.”
Northwest made just five of 25 shots from the field in the second half. Still, the Bearcats led most of the second half until Southern went in front 51-50 with just over a minute left.
Northwest regained the lead with 33 seconds left on a 15-foot jumper by freshman Shelby Mustain. Mustain finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
“She stepped up and made some big baskets for us,” Smith said.
Southern made one free throw to tie the game. Northwest failed to convert in the final play of regulation.
The Bearcats appeared to be in control in overtime when Ariel Easton made a three-pointer with 1:14 left, giving Northwest a 60-56 lead.
Northwest played in a panic mode the rest of the way. The Bearcats committed a couple of turnovers and failed to run the offensive plays Smith called.
The Bearcats finished the game with 23 turnovers. In the second half and overtime, Northwest was six for 31 from the field.
“We had some crucial turnovers at costly times,” Smith said,
Northwest, though, played as a team as four players scored in double figures. Junior Annie Mathews finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
The way the Bearcats played in the second half was in sharp contrast to the beautiful brand of offensive basketball they put on display in the first half.
Senior Meridee Scott already scored a season-high 10 points in the first half, propelling the Bearcats to a 33-28 halftime lead.
In the first 10 minutes, there were four lead changes. Northwest took the lead for good at 12-10 on two free throws by Ashleigh Nelson. It was part of a 12-0 run, which saw the Bearcats go from a 10-7 deficit to a 19-10 lead. During the run, Scott scored a couple of baskets.
Scott followed with two more field goals, helping Northwest build a 23-12 lead. The Bearcats appeared in complete control until a few unforced turnovers allowed Southern to close to 23-21. Northwest stopped Southern’s 9-0 run on a basket by Monique Stevens.
Offensively, the Bearcats were very good from the field, making 13 of 23 shots for a blistering 57 percent.
— Northwest Sports Information —
