EDMOND, Okla. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team became the first team this season to defeat the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos on their home floor as the Bearcats posted a 79-69 triumph at Hamilton Field House.
 
Northwest improved to 12-5 overall and 7-4 in MIAA play, while UCO dropped to 11-7 overall and 7-5 in league play. UCO came into the game 7-0 at home.
 
Northwest locked in defensively in the first quarter limiting Central Oklahoma to 4-of-15 from the field. The Bearcats also dominated the boards in the opening 10 minutes with an 11-4 advantage in rebounding. Northwest led by as many as 10 points at 19-9 following a pair of free throws from Molly Hartnett with :34.1 left in the quarter. Paityn Rau did damage in the first quarter with seven points and four rebounds as she went 3-of-3 from the field.
 
Northwest weathered a UCO run in the second quarter to hold a nine-point advantage at the break, 32-23. UCO closed to within 22-21 on a bucket from Kelsey Johnson with 4:40 to play in the half. The Bearcats responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead up to nine at 30-21. The run featured three-pointers from Caely Kesten and Peyton Kelderman. Kelsey Fields scored the final two buckets of the half in the paint for the Bearcats. Northwest enjoyed a 23-14 rebounding lead at the intermission. UCO was limited to 0-of-4 shooting from three-point land in the opening 20 minutes.
 
UCO out-scored Northwest in the third quarter, 27-17, on the strength of making 13-of-16 free throw attempts. The Bronchos took their first lead of the game with 1:26 left in the third quarter on a steal and layup by UCO's Brooke Rayner. UCO held a 50-49 edge at the close of the third.
 
Northwest enjoyed a 30-19 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter as UCO imploded with three technical fouls, including two on head coach Guy Hardaker. The Bearcats and Bronchos were locked into a two-point game at 60-58 with 4:42 to play before Northwest used a 15-2 run to secure the victory. UCO's Alayzha Knapp was whistled for a technical foul with 2:51 left and then Hardaker was nailed for two more technicals and earned an ejection from the contest. Northwest buried 20-of-25 free throws in the final 10 minutes.
 
Molly Hartnett led the way for Northwest with a season-high 22 points. Hartnett also dished out a season-high tying six assists. Hartnett sank 15-of-18 free throws in the victory.
 
Paityn Rau notched a season-high 16 points and did not miss a shot. She hit on 5-of-5 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line. She also sank her only three-point attempt of the game.
 
Kelsey Fields led the Bearcats with 10 rebounds. Field also added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.
 
Peyton Kelderman nailed a trio of three-pointers and contributed with 14 points and two assists.
 
Caely Kesten buried three balls from deep to lead the Bearcat bench with nine points.
 
Northwest will remain on the road for a Saturday matchup at Newman. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m. at Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan.
 
NOTES: Northwest evened the series with UCO at 7-7 … Northwest has won three straight matchups with UCO in Edmond … head coach Austin Meyer moved to 4-1 against the Bronchos … Northwest won the rebounding battle, 43-33 … it was a season-high 43 rebounds for Northwest … Northwest is 20-2 when winning the rebounding battle under head coach Austin Meyer … Peyton Kelderman made a three-pointer to keep her streak alive of making at least one three-pointer in 17 straight games … she has made at least two three-pointers in 12 of the 17 games this season.