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By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. - So close. Northwest Missouri State's women's basketball team led most of the game against Central Oklahoma Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. There were many positives in the Bearcats maintaining the advantage.
 
Northwest played great defense. Freshmen Jaelyn Haggard and Mallory McConkey hit a couple of clutch baskets late in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough. Northwest let the lead slip away in the final minute and fell 57-53.
 
However, the Bearcats walked off the court encouraged by the significant improvement they made from Thursday.
 
"I am really proud of the effort they put out there," Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. "Like I told them in the locker room, it is disappointing to get beat, but I am not disappointed in them whatsoever. I thought we did a tremendous job carrying out our game plan.
 
"At the end of the day, a couple of their big shots went their way, but I am proud of the execution and effort of our players."
 
Northwest held a 12-point lead at halftime and was still in front 42-35 entering the fourth quarter.
 
The Bronchos, which improved to 6-1, made a charge and closed to 47-45 and that was when Haggard drained a three-pointer to give Northwest a five-point lead with 3:13 left. Haggard finished with a game-high 19 points.
 
After Central Oklahoma scored, McConkey stepped up and knocked down a shot to put Northwest back in front by five at 52-47.
 
"It is great to see that," Scheel said. "It shows me they are out there playing fearless. A lot of times that doesn't happen until later in a player's career."
 
Northwest fell behind 53-52 with 1:20 left on a three-pointer and couldn't put together a good offensive possession in the final 80 seconds and that cost the Bearcats the game.
 
"Young or old, every game is an opportunity to learn," Scheel said. "It heightens even more in a close game, a conference game with a great crowd. I firmly believe this is something we will grow off of."
 
McConkey also liked the growth the Bearcats showed from Thursday's game.
 
"We have to keep on doing that," McConkey said. "That is really important."
 
In the first half, Northwest put together its best 20-minute stretch of the season against a quality team. The Bearcats took the lead late in the first quarter and used that momentum to go into halftime ahead 32-20.
 
"Coming out with a new defense we had, it put a little fire in us to try something different that nobody has seen before," Haggard said. "I think we executed it really well.
 
"I think we saw a glimpse of how well we will get later this season."
 
After giving up a game-opening three-pointer, the Bearcats locked down on defense and scored the next eight points. It started with a two-point field goal from Meyer followed by a three-pointer from her.
 
Leading 8-3 with 4:20 left in the first quarter, the Bearcats hit a cold stretch. Central Oklahoma scored the next six points for a 9-8 lead.
 
Showing a determined resolve, the Bearcats finished the quarter with a three-pointer from junior Mallory McAndrews, sending Northwest into the second quarter with an 11-9 lead.
 
Early in the second quarter, Northwest got a spark from junior Kaylani Maiava. She hit a three-pointer and on the next offensive possession made two free throws. Her five quick points extended Northwest's lead to 21-12.
 
The Bearcats continued to attack on offense. Haggard hit a two pointer and then drilled a three-pointer, capping a 14-0 run that gave Northwest a 26-12 lead.
 
Northwest shot 57 percent from the field in the second quarter and outscored the Bronchos 21-11. Haggard and senior Tanya Meyer each scored 10 points in the first half. Meyer finished with 12.