MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team recorded its third straight double-digit victory with a 63-46 win over the visiting Lincoln Blue Tigers at Bearcat Arena.
Northwest improved to 14-5 overall and 9-4 in the MIAA. Lincoln dropped to 5-14 overall and 1-12 in league action.
Lincoln scored the first bucket of the game for its only lead of the contest. Northwest would lead 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
The Bearcats kept the Blue Tigers in check for a majority of the opening half. Lincoln made only three of its first 20 field goal attempts as Northwest built a 33-12 lead. When the Blue Tigers weren't missing shots, they were turning it over 10 times in the opening 20 minutes of action.
The Bearcats shot 53.8% from the field in the first half on 14-of-26 shooting. Northwest also knocked in 5-of-8 three-point shots before the break.
Northwest looked to blow it open in the third quarter when the home squad took a 45-22 advantage with 2:47 to play.
However, Lincoln battled back when Northwest went frigid from the floor. The Bearcats made 1-of-16 shots from the field, allowing the Blue Tigers to close within 51-39 in the fourth quarter. Northwest responded with a 10-2 spurt to take a 61-41 lead with 1:17 left in the game.
Freshman
Kelsey Fields recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Senior
Mallory McConkey tallied a game-high 15 points and reached the 1,000 point mark in her career.
Freshman
Peyton Kelderman also reached double-figure scoring with 11 points in the strength of a trio of three-pointers.
The Bearcats shot 25.0% in the second half on 6-of-24 shooting, including 3-of-15 in the third quarter. For the game, Northwest shot 40.0% from the floor (20-of-50 FGs).
Northwest will be back in action Saturday at home against the Central Missouri Jennies. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.
NOTES: Northwest recorded its ninth MIAA win of the season – the most for the Bearcats since an 18-4 mark in the 2010-11 season … Northwest is 22-2 when winning the rebounding battle under head coach
Austin Meyer … freshman guard
Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 19 games … she has drained two or more three-pointers in 13 of the 19 games this season … Northwest holds a 42-10 lead in the all-time series vs. Lincoln … head coach
Austin Meyer improved to 5-3 against Lincoln … Northwest improved to 9-2 in Bearcat Arena – the most home wins since a 10-4 mark by the 2012-13 Bearcat squad …
Mallory McConkey eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in her collegiate career … she is the 28th Bearcat to score 1,000 or more career points … McConkey is also the 19th member of Northwest's 1,000-point/500-rebound club … the Bearcats improved to 10-1 when McConkey has scored at least 10 points this season.
