The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team came up short against the Pittsburg State Gorillas, 71-66.
 
Pitt State took a 21-18 lead after first quarter action. PSU shot 75 percent on 9-of-12 shooting while Northwest forced them into five turnovers and knocked down 2-of-4 attempts from three.
 
Northwest took its first lead of the game at the 6:15 mark of the second quarter with an Evelyn Vazquez layup to put the Bearcats up 25-24. Pitt State would regain the lead the following possession, but Peyton Kelderman went down and drained a three-pointer to give the 'Cats the lead once again.
 
Northwest held its lead until the final second of the half as the Gorillas knocked down a buzzer beater three-pointer just past the half court line. Pitt State entered the break with a 35-33 lead. Peyton Kelderman led Northwest in scoring with nine points on a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
 
At the end of the third quarter, Pitt State had a nine point advantage over Northwest, 54-45. Both teams went 6-of-14 from the field in the quarter, but PSU was able to increase its lead as three of those shots were three-pointers. Evelyn Vazquez had a team-high twelve points and four steals heading into the fourth.
 
The Bearcats fought their way back to within three points as they trailed 67-64 after a Jayna Green jumper with 1:04 left to play in the game. PSU closed out the game with a layup and two free throws to get the 71-66 win over Northwest. 
 
Kelsey Fields recorded her fourth career double-double and second of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Evelyn Vazquez packed the stat sheet with leading the team in points with a team-high 15 while adding five rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Peyton Kelderman finished the game 4-of-5 from downtown with 14 points and four rebounds. Molly Hartnett had a team-high five assists to go along with 13 points.
 
Northwest is now 4-3 overall, 0-2 in the MIAA.
 
The Bearcats are back in action at home against Nebraska-Kearney December 10^th followed by Fort Hays State December 11^th. Both games are set to tip at 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.