By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. – From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Northwest Missouri State’s women’s basketball team came out against Lincoln University with a determination to continue its basketball season.

Northwest never trailed in the second half in its 98-77 victory over Lincoln Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. The win gave Northwest the final spot in the MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats will play its first-round game Tuesday at Central Oklahoma.

“We have been working for this since preseason,” said junior Tanya Meyer, who scored 21 points. “I know the season hasn’t gone the way we wanted. We lost several close games. Being able to finish this game and get into the tournament is really big.

“I know everyone is excited. Hopefully, we can get to Kansas City next week. The atmosphere there is amazing.”

It was a do or die game for both Northwest and Lincoln. The season was over for the team that lost. Both teams played at a high level in the first half. Northwest took its game to another level in the second half.

“We had to,” Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. “I really felt in the second half we relaxed and really went out there and played.”

Leading by five at halftime, Northwest quickly increased its lead to nine at 47-38 early in the third quarter on two free throws by Meyer.

A minute later, the Bearcats went back to a nine-point lead on a field goal by senior Jasmin Howe, making it 49-40. It was a fantastic final home game for Howe, who scored consistently throughout the game. Howe finished with 23 points.

“To have my mom and brother here for my final home game as a Bearcat meant everything to me,” Howe said. “And to have this game to go the playoffs, which we haven’t been able to do the last couple of years, was so important to me. I am just happy they were here to share that moment with me.”

Meyer was another player who put up points in both halves. Her three-pointer late in the third quarter not only gave Northwest a 63-50 lead, the field goal put her over 1,000 career points.

“It is a big milestone, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates,” Meyer said. “They know when to get me the ball. They have faith in me that I can knock down shots and get to the basket.”

Northwest went into the final quarter with a 63-52 lead. The Bearcats hit an even higher gear. By the time there was 3:30 left in the game, Northwest held a commanding 89-65 lead.

Sophomore Arbrie Benson put Northwest over the 90-point level for the second time this season when she scored consecutive baskets to make it 94-69. Benson was basically unstoppable, scoring a game-high 32 points.

“Early on I wanted to be aggressive and keep my head up because I tend to get down on myself when I make mistakes and miss shots,” Benson said. “I just wanted to stay aggressive.”

Because of the scoring of Benson, Howe and Meyer, Northwest put together its best first half in a couple of weeks and went into halftime with a 42-37 lead.

“I felt the first half was kind of a rollercoaster,” Scheel said. “A few possessions here and there, they hit some big threes and we weren’t getting out on them. That was my biggest frustration. For the most part, we kept the game tight.”

It was fitting a senior got the Bearcats off to a good start. Howe scored the first basket of the game and a minute later hit a three-pointer.

Both teams were clicking on offense in the first quarter. When it ended, the game was tied 23-23.

Lincoln gained the early advantage in the second quarter. Northwest went ahead 30-29 on a three-pointer by junior Caitlin Sudduth. Lincoln went back ahead on a basket. It was the Blue Tigers’ last lead in the game.

Started by a basket from Benson, Northwest went on an 8-0 run and took a 38-31 lead. Benson led the way for the Bearcats. She scored 15 points on seven for 10 shooting from the field. As a team, Northwest shot well, connecting for 51.4 percent of its shot from the field.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Northeastern State, 8-4, on Friday in the MIAA opener at Rousey Field in Tahlequah, Okla.

– The Bearcats are now 8-3 on the year and 0-1 in conference while the RiverHawks improve to 6-3 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play.

– Eddy Kraeber worked 5.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run on five hits. He gave up just one walk while striking out three.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the third, one in the fifth and two in the ninth. Northeastern State got two in the first, five in the third and one in the sixth.

– The Bearcats scored four runs on eight hits with two errors. The RiverHawks had eight runs on 13 hits with one error.

– Alixon Herrera was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He hit his third double of the year in the third inning.

– Garrett Fort was 2-for-5 on the day.

– Logan Rycraft was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

– Ozzie Adams went 1-for-4 with an RBI. He was also hit by a pitch.

– Kevin Handzlik was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.

– Kraeber recorded nine straight outs midway through the game. He worked perfect fourth and fifth innings and got the first two outs of the sixth before giving up a walk.

Key Northwest Innings
– Herrera started the third with a double to right center. Rycraft hit a single to left to put runners on the corners with no outs. Herrera came around to score as Fort grounded into a double play to cut the RiverHawk lead to one, 2-1.

– With two outs in the fifth, Rycraft and Fort hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Adams hit the first pitch he saw to left to score Rycraft from third.

– Handzlik, Hrdlicka and Hassman drew back-to-back-to-back walks to load the bases to start the ninth inning. After a pitching change, Herrera reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Handzlik from third. Austin Wulff was called on to pinch hit and reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring Hassman from second.

Up Next
– The Bearcats and the RiverHawks will play the second game of the three-game series on Saturday at 2 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —