The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team closed out weekend play with a win against Minnesota Crookston, 70-58. The Bearcats are off to their first 2-0 start since the 2016-17 season.
 
Northwest led the way after the first media timeout, 12-6, shooting 55.6% from the field. Crookston shot 27.3% connecting on just three of 11 attempts.
 
After one quarter, Northwest had a 7-point lead over the Eagles. Evelyn Vazquez had a turnaround layup at the buzzer to give Northwest 18 points while holding Crookston to 11. Peyton Kelderman went 2-of-2 from downtown and led the Bearcats in scoring with six points.
 
Redshirt freshman Lauren Gillig tallied her first points of her career with a 3-pointer halfway through the second quarter. A few possessions later, Gillig drained another deep three to give Northwest its largest lead at 29-14.
 
Northwest took a 35-25 lead heading into halftime. Lauren Gillig was a spark off the bench as she went 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to lead the 'Cats in scoring with 11. As a team, Northwest shot 46.4% from the field, 50% from the 3-point line, and grabbed 20 rebounds to Crookston's 17. Kelsey Fields led Northwest with six rebounds at the half.
 
After three quarters, Northwest maintained its lead over Crookston, 56-43. Molly Hartnett recorded nine points in the quarter to raise her total to 13. After knocking down a pair of free throws, Lauren Gillig was also up to 13 points.
 
Northwest had a 17-point lead with two minutes to play in the game before the Eagles knocked down a late 3-pointer followed by a jumper.
 
The Bearcats recorded their second straight win over Crookston with a final score of 70-58. After 80 minutes played this season, Northwest has yet to trail in a game.
 
Kelsey Fields was dominant inside snatching 12 rebounds, six of which were offensive. Fields went 4-of-8 from the field and hit six free throws to give her fourteen points for the game. Field's also recorded her first double-double of the season. 
 
Molly Hartnett led Northwest in scoring with 15 points going 6-of-8 from the field.
 
Lauren Gillig had an impressive performance with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
Evelyn Vazquez added nine points as well as a team high four steals.
 
Peyton Kelderman tied a team high four assists while draining two 3-pointers in the game.
 
NOTES: Northwest shot 40% from deep on 6-of-15 attempts … 40.7% from the field going 24-of-59 … Northwest had 41 rebounds to Crookston's 34 … Northwest recorded 14 assists … 36 points in the paint … forced 15 turnovers … tallied 9 steals.