TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team (11-2 overall, 5-2 MIAA) started its Oklahoma road trip with a win over Northeastern State, 71-69. 

Jayna Green set a new season high in points with 17 tonight, which was also a game-high. With Green's offensive success, she also pulled down six boards and blocked three shots. Molly Hartnett recorded her fourth career double-double, piling up ten points, 12 assists, and four steals. Harnett's assists set a new career-high and are the most by any MIAA player up to this point in the season. 

Second-half shooting was the difference maker for Northwest as they shot 57.7 percent on 14-of-26 from the floor (45.3 percent overall). Northwest drained 10-of-22 shots from beyond the arc throughout the game. 

Lindsey Kelderman knocked down two triples to keep the Bearcats intact before the U5 media timeout hit as the score was tied at 11. Northwest led 18-15 after the first quarter. 

During the second quarter, the RiverHawks came back by outscoring the 'Cats 18-12. Just before the end of the half, Grace Abercrombie from Northeastern State made a three-pointer to give NSU the lead of 33-30. Lindsey Kelderman was leading the Bearcats with nine points at that time, having made all three shots from behind the arc.

Jayna Green provided an offensive spark in the third quarter, scoring six of her 17 points in a matter of three minutes. Peyton Kelderman drained a three in transition at the 5:42 mark to pull within one. Molly Hartnett gave the Bearcats the one-point lead on a jumper at the buzzer. 

Northwest took advantage of a 12-0 run going into the fourth quarter, holding NSU scoreless for three minutes.

Courtney Lee of NSU tied the game back up at 67 with 2:32 to go in the final quarter. Both teams battled back and forth in the final two minutes of the game. Jayna Green converted on a tough layup to give Northwest the 71-69 lead with 55 seconds remaining. 

With .5 seconds to play, Northeastern State was unable to get a clean shot off and Northwest came away with a tremendous comeback win. 

Four Bearcats scored in double figures tonight:
Jayna Green - 17 points
Lindsey Kelderman - 14 points
Peyton Kelderman - 12 points
Molly Hartnett - 10 points

Northwest improves to 11-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play, while Northeastern State drops to 5-7 overall and 1-5 in the MIAA. 

The Bearcats will travel down the road to Claremore, Okla. on Saturday to take on the Rogers State Hillcats at 1:30 p.m.