ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The No. 22-ranked Missouri Western Griffons held off a fourth quarter charge from the visiting Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat women's basketball team for a 68-52 victory at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (18-3 overall, 12-3 MIAA) saw their 12-point second-half lead whittled to four with 7:23 to play. However, the Griffons closed the contest on a 16-4 run to knock off the Bearcats (14-7 overall, 9-6 MIAA).

Northwest's Molly Hartnett tallied a game-high 24 points. It is the fifth time in her career that she has reached the 20-point mark in a game. Hartnett went 9-of-16 from the floor.

Jayna Green chipped in a career-high 13 points on the strength of a trio of made three-pointers. Green swatted three shots on the defensive end.

The Griffons enjoyed a 38-26 scoring advantage in the paint. 

Northwest held a 15-9 lead after a Green three-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. But Missouri Western responded with a 12-0 run to take a 21-15 lead with 7:02 left in the half. Missouri Western would not trail the rest of the way.

Northwest will return to action Tuesday at Emporia State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. at White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan.

NOTES: Missouri Western made only one three-pointer in the game ... Northwest has allowed an MIAA-low 59 made three-pointers by the opposition this season ... Northwest turned the ball over 11 times in the first half, but then limited its turnovers in the second half to four ... freshman Peyton Kelderman knocked in another three-pointer to give her at least one made trey in all 21 games this season.