MARYVILLE, Mo. – The No. 15-ranked Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team (7-1) sparked a 32-7 scoring run to earn a decisive 75-59 home-opening victory over the Mission Lady Patriots inside Bearcat Arena Saturday. 

Three Bearcats recorded double-digit scoring performances. Kelsey Fields led with a game-high 13 points and seven rebounds, while Aaliyah Riley notched a career-high 12 points and four boards. Emree Zars contributed 11 points, and Sadie Maas added nine points, a game-high 10 rebounds, and three blocks.

Northwest controlled the game for nearly 38 minutes, with Mission's only lead occurring in the opening quarter. The Bearcats dominated the paint, scoring 56 of their 75 points inside.

The victory extends Northwest's winning streak to six games, improving its record to 7-1.

Zars hit Northwest's only first-half three-pointer in transition to give the Bearcats an early 6-4 lead. Riley entered the game for the first time since Nov. 3, converted on an and-one opportunity at the 6:09 mark. Northwest made six of its first nine shots, leading 15-13 at the first media timeout. Seven Bearcats scored in the opening quarter, with Riley pacing the way with six points, leading 20-17 lead after one complete. 
 
In the second quarter, Northwest surged a 14-3 scoring run, pushing its lead to 34-20 with 4:06 remaining. Mission struggled, making just one of 13 shots in the second period. At the break, Northwest had built a commanding 46-20 lead, shooting 60.6% (20-of-33) from the field despite going just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. Zars led the first half with 11 points, while Riley added eight.

Mission mounted a brief 8-1 scoring run in the third quarter, but Lindsey Kelderman answered with Northwest's second three-pointer, extending the lead to 58-36. The Bearcats ended the quarter up 66-38, maintaining a comfortable lead. 

Northwest reached its largest lead of the game—32 points—with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter after a Brooklyn Stanley layup. Mission closed the game on a 21-5 run, but Ella Moody added a late basket to seal Northwest's 75-59 victory in its 2024-25 season home opener.

Despite shooting just 2-of-19 from three-point range, Northwest posted a solid 47.7% (31-of-65) shooting overall. The Bearcats dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 48-to-29, including a 16-to-7 advantage on the offensive glass. The Bearcats converted 64.7% (11-of-17) of their free throws.

Mission's Heaven Shockley led the team with 12 points and four blocks.
 
Up Next:
Northwest will tip-off its MIAA regular season, hosting Missouri Western at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, inside Bearcat Arena. The Bearcat men will follow at the conclusion of the women's game.