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By David Boyce  |  Facebook Photo Album

LEBANON, Ill. - A basket by freshmen Mallory McConkey midway through the fourth quarter pulled Northwest Missouri State's women's basketball team into a 63-63 tie against McKendree Monday evening at Harry Statham Sports Center.
 
A three-point answer by McKendree put a damper on the rest of the game for the Bearcats. Northwest managed just two more points and that led to a 72-65 loss.
 
"I thought at times our effort was very good," Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. "We were able to push the ball up the floor and get some good transition buckets.
 
"But then we turn around and have a couple of turnovers here and there and took some bad shots. Those little things add up."
 
The Bearcats gave a gritty effort on the road. Northwest trailed 59-53 early in the fourth quarter and fought back, scoring eight of the next 10 points.
 
During the 8-2 run, Northwest got baskets from junior Maria Dentlinger, a three-pointer from freshman Jaelyn Haggard and a three-pointer from junior Kaylani Maiava that made it 61-61 with 5:25 left in the game.
 
Unfortunately, the nice offensive flow the Bearcats showed in the first half and much of the third quarter left Northwest in the final 4 minutes.
 
In the third quarter, Northwest and McKendree went back and forth. McKendree took a 37-36 lead to start the second half. Northwest went right back in front on a four-point play by junior Mallory McAndrews that put the Bearcats ahead 40-37.
 
The rest of the third quarter went exactly like that. There were 13 lead changes in the third quarter. But when the quarter ended, McKendree held a 57-53 lead.
 
The first half was similar except Northwest did build a nine-point lead early in the second quarter but let it slip away.
 
Still, Northwest put together its best first half on the road and took a slim 36-35 lead into halftime. The Bearcats did numerous things right to gain the slight advantage.
 
"One of the things I talked about first in the locker room after the game is when that effort is there and there all the time, good things can happen."
 
Junior Macy Williams provided a big spark midway through the first quarter when Northwest fell behind 10-4. Consecutive field goals by Williams quickly pulled Northwest to within two points.
 
Trailing 19-17 late in the first quarter, Williams drilled a three-pointer that gave the Bearcats their first lead at 20-19. It was Williams' ninth point in the first quarter.
 
Williams finished the first quarter with an assist that set up a three-point bucket by senior Mia Stillman. The trey sent the Bearcats into the second quarter with a 23-19 lead.
 
Northwest continued to ride the momentum. Senior Tanya Meyer drained a three-pointer and freshman Kylie Coleman stole a pass and drove the length of the court for a layup, giving the Bearcats a 28-19 lead and forcing a timeout by McKendree.
 
McKendree regrouped from the Bearcats' 14-1 run and slowly pulled closer. McKendree eventually retook the lead at 33-32.
 
Undaunted by the lead change, Northwest answered with a basket by Haggard and solidified the lead when Haggard made a nice bounce pass that led to a Stillman layup.
 
The strong passing by the Bearcats helped them shoot 56 percent from the field in the first half.
 
"Tonight, throughout the game, I was very pleased with our effort," Scheel said.