The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team recorded a 71-57 victory over Colorado Mesa Friday evening in Hays, Kan. The Bearcats move to 3-0 this season.
 
After the first quarter, Northwest and Colorado Mesa were knotted up at 14 apiece. The Bearcats were 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc with Jayna Green and Peyton Kelderman each knocking one down.
 
Evelyn Vazquez gave Northwest its largest lead at 9-points as the halftime buzzer sounded. Vazquez went the length of the court in just over four seconds splitting the defense and finishing with a layup to put the Bearcats up 38-29.
 
Northwest shot 44 percent from the field in first half action going 11-of-25. The team shot 60 percent from the 3-point line as they went 3-for-5. Northwest was 13-for-16 from the free throw line for 81.3 percent.
 
Molly Hartnett led the way at the break with 12 points followed by Evelyn Vazquez with eight, and Jayna Green with seven.
 
Northwest maintained a 9-point lead through the third quarter with a score of 50-41. Evelyn Vazquez tallied seven points in the quarter to give her a total of 15 with ten minutes left to play.
 
After four quarters, the Bearcats defeated the Mavericks by a score of 71-57 to give them their third win of the season.
 
Northwest was led in scoring by Evelyn Vazquez with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. Vazquez also recorded three assists. Jayna Green was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line as she ended with seven points and six rebounds. Kelsey Fields also added six rebounds and tallied eight points in the game. Molly Hartnett dished out a team high four assists while adding 15 points. Seven of Hartnett's points came from the charity stripe.
 
Northwest never trailed after the six minute mark in the second quarter and gave up just four turnovers.
 
Northwest is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on Minnesota State at 1 p.m.