KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team was defeated in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament by Nebraska-Kearney, 65-43.
 
Northwest ends the season with an overall record of 15-15.
 
Nebraska-Kearney used a late first quarter run to take a 19-9 lead into the second quarter. In the final three minutes of the first quarter, UNK went on a 12-2 run. The Bearcats connected on just two field goals in the quarter, both by Molly Hartnett.
 
Caely Kesten got things going for Northwest knocking down a three on the teams first possession of the second quarter. She hit another three at the 5:58 mark to bring the 'Cats to within nine at 26-17. With UNK with its largest lead at 36-18, Emma Atwood scored the final five points of the half with a layup and then a deep three as the buzzer sounded.
 
At the half, Nebraska-Kearney had a 36-23 lead.
 
Northwest had four made field goals in the second quarter, three of which were from beyond the arc. Only three Bearcats scored in the first half. Atwood led the way with nine, Kesten added eight, and Hartnett tallied six. Atwood was 4-for-4 from the free throw line, grabbed five rebounds, and one steal.
 
As a team, Northwest was just 6-of-26 from the field in the half while Kearney was 15-of-28. The Bearcats were 4-for-10 from three, and the Lopers were 4-of-5.
 
UNK increased its lead to 55-35 after three quarters.
 
The Lopers ended the game with a 65-43 victory.
 
Northwest struggled offensively as the team finished 12-of-52 from the field and 4-of-18 from three.
 
Emma Atwood and Caely Kesten ended the game with 13 points apiece. Atwood led the team with four made field goals and her first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Molly Hartnett added 10 points.