JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball could not take down the MIAA's hottest team as the Missouri Southern Lions scored a 56-49 victory at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
Missouri Southern won its 11th straight contest to remain in first place in the MIAA standings with a league mark of 15-3. The Lions are 18-3 on the season. Northwest fell to 15-9 overall and 10-8 in MIAA play.
Northwest enjoyed a 16-12 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter. Northwest made 7-of-11 shots from the floor (63.6%).
Mallory McConkey went 4-of-4 from the field and scored nine points. Northwest enjoyed a 13-3 rebounding lead after one period of play. Missouri Southern held a 10-7 lead with 4:09 to play before Northwest closed the quarter on a 9-2 run.
Northwest pulled out to a seven-point lead at 25-18 following the second straight made three-pointer by
Peyton Kelderman with 5:45 to play in the half. Northwest made only one of its final eight field goal attempts in the second quarter. The Lions would close the half on a 10-2 spurt to take a 28-27 advantage.
Both squads put up 13 points in the third quarter. The Lions held a four-point lead at 33-29 but a pair of free throws from Kelderman and a fast break layup by Caitlyn Jordan evened the matchup at 33-33 with 6:43 to play. Northwest then went 5:10 without a made field goal, but the Lions could only manage a five-point lead at 39-34. McConkey buried three field goals in the final 1:22 to cut the MSSU lead to 41-40 at the end of three quarters.
The Lions would not relinquish the lead in the fourth quarter. Northwest cut the margin to one at 43-42 but could not overcome the home squad. Northwest shot 3-of-14 in the fourth and were out-scored, 15-9. MSSU freshman Lacy Stokes buried a big three-pointer with 2:34 left on her way to a game-high 26 points to lead the Lions.
Northwest will be back in action Thursday at home against Emporia State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.
NOTES: Northwest won the battle of the boards, 43-36 … Northwest committed 14 turnovers, while the Lions made only five miscues in the contest … Northwest shot 34.6% from the floor … Missouri Southern shot 32.2% from the field …
Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 24 games this season … Kelderman has also drained at least two three-pointers in 16 of 24 contests this year …
Mallory McConkey led Northwest with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field … McConkey added seven rebounds … freshman
Kelsey Fields recorded her seventh double-figure rebounding game with a team-best 11 rebounds … Fields also scored seven points.
