MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball squad capped the program's best finish to its non-conference since the turn of the century with a 54-29 victory over McKendree University in Bearcat Arena.
 
Northwest completed its non-conference slate with a 5-1 record and an 83.3%-win percentage - its best since the turn of the century. Northwest went 7-2 (77.8%) in 2004 and 2007, 6-2 (75.0%) in 2013 and 8-3 (72.7%) in 2006 for its top non-conference marks since 2000. Northwest produced an 14-0 non-conference mark in the 1983-84 season under head coach Wayne Winstead for its best pre-MIAA mark in program history en route to a regular season league crown.
 
The 29 points allowed were the fewest given up by Northwest since a 90-22 victory over Kansas Christian on Nov. 13, 2019.

Northwest surpassed its win total from last season by improving to 8-2 this year. McKendree dropped to 1-9 overall. 
 
The battle of the Bearcats got off to a slow start as Northwest held an 11-7 edge at the end of the first quarter. Northwest shot 4-of-12 from the field, while McKendree shot 3-of-12 from the floor in the first 10 minutes.
 
Northwest managed nine points in the second quarter but kept up its stingy defense by holding McKendree to only four points on two field goals. McKendree made 2-of-10 field goals as Northwest made 4-of-13 in the second quarter. Northwest held a 20-11 lead at the intermission.
 
Northwest used a 19-2 surge from the 4::37 mark of the second quarter until the 6:09 mark of the third quarter to take a commanding 32-11 lead. The Bearcats continued its run into the fourth quarter in building a 48-17 advantage. Northwest's run was completed at 35-6 after it turned a 13-11 lead into a 48-17 runaway.
 
McKendree closed the game on a 12-6 run over the last six minutes to cut the final margin to 54-29.
 
Northwest had 10 different players record a made field goal. Neither squad had a player reach double-figure scoring in the contest. Northwest's Jayna Green and Caely Kesten were the game-high scorers with nine points. Green made 4-of-5 from the field, while Kesten knocked in 3-of-5 from three-point land.
 
Northwest's Kelsey Fields grabbed a game-high seven boards to go along with four points.
Northwest won the rebounding battle, 41-27. Northwest is 18-1 when winning the battle of the boards under head coach Austin Meyer.
 
Northwest limited McKendree to 1-of-13 three-point shooting. Northwest dropped in 5-of-23 from distance. Through 10 games, Northwest has allowed only 27 made three-pointers by its opposition.
 
Northwest will return to action Saturday against undefeated Missouri Western. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.