EMPORIA, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team won for the first time at Emporia State since Jan. 2, 2002, with a 70-54 victory at White Auditorium.
 
Northwest also snapped a 14-game losing streak in games with Emporia State. It was Northwest's first victory against Emporia State since the 2011 MIAA Tournament championship game on March 6, 2011.
 
Northwest improved to 15-7 overall and 10-6 in MIAA play, while Emporia State fell to 11-11 overall and 6-10 in league action.
 
Senior Mallory McConkey tied a career-high with 27 points and was nearly perfect from the field. McConkey went 10-of-11 from the floor, including 4-of-4 from three-point range.
 
McConkey poured in 14 first-half points in helping the Bearcats to a 32-29 lead at the break. McConkey made 5-of-6 field goals, including 2-of-2 from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Northwest used a 12-4 run in the second quarter to turn a 23-19 deficit into a 31-27 advantage. McConkey drained both of her first-half three-pointers in the Bearcat scoring run to help the visitors take the lead.
 
The Bearcats outscored the Hornets in the third, 19-11. ESU was limited to 4-of-17 from the floor in the quarter, including 0-of-8 from three-point range. Northwest went 8-for-17 from the floor in the third. Northwest began the third quarter with an 8-2 run. Caely Kesten closed the run with a three-pointer with 6:13 left in the quarter to give Northwest a 40-31 advantage. Northwest held Emporia to only one made field goal in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Northwest pushed its lead to 13 on two occasions in the third quarter on baskets from Molly Hartnett with 1:18 left and Kelsey Fields with :22. Northwest held a 51-40 lead through three.
 
Northwest left little doubt in the fourth quarter as it built an 18-point lead at 62-44 with 4:56 left in the game. Northwest went 7-of-12 from the floor in the fourth quarter.
 
The Bearcat defense locked in against the Hornets. ESU went 4-of-26 from three-point range in the game, including just 1-of-13 in the second half.
 
Northwest tallied 38 second-half points, while allowing ESU to score only 25 points in the final 20 minutes.
 
Northwest will return to action Thursday at Pittsburg State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kan.
 
NOTES: Freshman Evelyn Vazquez battled her way to seven points, a career-high nine rebounds, three assists and two steals … freshman Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 22 games this season … Northwest is 11-2 when McConkey scores in double figures … Northwest is 23-2 when winning the rebounding battle under head coach Austin Meyer … Northwest won the battle on the boards, 41-27.