MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team picked up its 13th win of the season against Newman University, 79-49.

Molly Hartnett was remarkable in Northwest's win over Newman. Hartnett scored 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Caely Kesten finished with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists. 

Caely Kesten was dialed in early as she had a quick seven points when the U5 media timeout hit. Northwest opened up the game on a 14-3 scoring run just after Jayna Green knocked in a pair of free throws. Northwest put together a late scoring surge in the opening quarter to lead 23-8. 

Newman battled back in the second quarter cutting the Northwest lead down to eight after a pair of free throws by Jaeden McMillian. Lindsey Kelderman found Kesten in the corner for a transition three to put the Bearcats up by double digits. 

Kesten led all scorers with 17 first-half points as the Bearcats led 40-29 at the break. 

Northwest came out of the locker room on fire, going on a 12-4 run in the first three minutes of the second half. Hartnett cashed in on two-and-one's during the Bearcat run. Northwest outscored Newman 15-11 in the third quarter to take a 55-40 advantage going into the final quarter. 

Northwest finished the game on a 27-7 run, ending in a 79-49 victory for the 'Cats. The Bearcats held Newman to nine points in the final quarter. Northwest also tied a season-high of 27 forced turnovers, while only turning it over six times. 

Northwest improves to 13-4 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA as Newman drops to 2-16 overall, and 1-11 in conference play.