ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team defeated the No. 5-ranked Ashland Eagles, 57-49, marking its first top five victory since 2009.
 
Caely Kesten led the way with 14 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field, including a game-high four three-pointers. Kelsey Fields recorded her 11th career double-double of her career, posting 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
 
Northwest shot 41.7 percent from the field (20-of-48) and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc (5-of-14), while holding Ashland to 35.7 percent shooting (20-of-56) and 20 percent from three-point range (3-of-15). The Bearcats outscored the Eagles 35-25 in the second half. 
 
The first quarter saw back-and-forth action, with Northwest taking its largest lead of the quarter of four after Kesten's three-pointer with just under a minute to play. At the end of one, the Bearcats led 14-11. 
 
A defensive battle marked the second period, as both teams combined for only 21 points. Northwest entered halftime trailing 24-22, with Kesten tallying eight first-half points and junior transfer Emree Zars having five. 
 
In the third quarter, Northwest limited Ashland to just 25 percent shooting and posted a game-high 18 points in the quarter, pushing its lead to 40-34.
 
Northwest extended its lead early in the final quarter to 44-36 after a jumper from Lindsey Kelderman. Shortly after, Fields grabbed her own offensive rebound and scored to help Northwest take its largest lead of nine at 47-38. Following an Ashland three-pointer, Kelderman set up Fields for another critical basket, prompting an Ashland timeout with under six minutes remaining.
 
Ashland fought back, making it a two-point game with just over three minutes left. With about 45 seconds remaining, Kesten drove and dished to Fields, pushing Northwest's lead to 51-47. On the next play, Fields blocked a shot, leading to free throws for Molly Hartnett, who sank both to make it 53-47 with 30 seconds on the clock.
 
Kelderman's final two free throws sealed the thrilling 57-49 victory for Northwest over No. 5 Ashland to grab its first top five win since 2009 (W, 88-76 vs. No. 5 Emporia State). 
 
Up Next: 
Northwest will return to the court against the No. 2-ranked Texas Woman's Pioneers tomorrow, Nov. 3 in game two of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.