MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team secured a 68-48 home win over Missouri S&T on Monday night in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest (2-1 overall) was led by three players in double figures including freshman Evelyn Vazquez's career-high 13 points. Vazquez was joined in double figures by Paityn Rau (11) and Peyton Kelderman (11). Mallory McConkey ripped down a game-high nine rebounds. Molly Hartnett dished out a team-best six assists.

Northwest out-rebounded Missouri S&T, 39-28. The Bearcats grabbed a season-high 11 offensive rebounds. Northwest is 14-1 under head coach Austin Meyer when the Bearcats win the rebounding battle.

The first quarter featured an offensive explosion on both ends. Northwest led at the end of the first 10 minutes, 23-21. The Miners shot 9-of-13 (69.2%) from the field, while the Bearcats hit on 10-of-16 (62.5%) from the floor. S&T held a six-point lead at 21-15 with 2:41 to play in the quarter. Northwest finished the first quarter on an 8-0 that featured a pair of triples in the final minute from Kelderman and Caely Kesten. 

Northwest had a 30-29 lead with 3:45 to play in the second quarter. The Bearcats closed the half on another 8-0 run to take a 38-29 lead at the break. Northwest out-scored S&T in the second quarter, 15-8.

The Bearcats blew the game open in the third quarter with a 21-10 scoring edge. Northwest used another late surge to push the margin from 10 points to 20 points. The Bearcats ended the third stanza on an 11-1 spurt. Northwest was efficient in the third quarter by draining 8-of-11 shots from the field for a sizzling 72.7%. Northwest knocked in four three-pointers in five tries in the third with Vazquez sinking two and Jillian Fleming dropping two as well.

The Miners and Bearcats each posted nine fourth quarter points as Northwest closed out the 20-point win.

Northwest will be in action Friday and Saturday at the Washburn Thanksgiving Classic. Northwest will take on Rockhurst Friday at 1 p.m. Northwest will then challenge Winona State Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets for the Washburn Thanksgiving Classic must be purchased in advance online on the Ichabod ticketing site.