MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team came up short against Central Oklahoma, 71-57. 

Caely Kesten and Molly Hartnett each had 13 points on the night. Along with Kesten's points, she secured six boards and came away with three steals. 

The Bronchos knocked in their first two shots of the game to put them in front 4-0 early in the first quarter. Caely Kesten buried a three just before the U5 media timeout to cut the UCO lead down to two. Northwest took its first lead of the game at the beginning of the second quarter on a fast-break layup by Molly Hartnett. 

UCO closed out the first half on a 9-0 and held a 31-25 at the half. 

The Bronchos started the second half on another short 5-0 run. Molly Hartnett buried her second triple of the game to shorten the UCO lead by eight. Northwest sparked a quick 6-0 run that was quickly vanished by UCO. Karly Wadsworth knocked in a three to give the Bronchos their largest lead of the game of 12. 

Jayna Green hit a three to cut the deficit to eight midway through the fourth quarter. Central Oklahoma answered back with an and-one and baseline jumper to extend their lead back to 13. 

Central Oklahoma shot 53.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. The Bronchos knocked down free throws to seal the victory. On the other hand, Northwest shot 38.3 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from beyond the arc. 

Central Oklahoma improves to 4-13 overall and 3-8 MIAA action. 

Northwest Missouri State drops to 12-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play. 

Northwest will host Newman this Saturday at 1:30 p.m.