ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team made history by defeating the reigning Division II national champions and top-ranked Minnesota State, 85-67, in its final game of the Central Region WBB Showcase. This victory marks Northwest's first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team in program history.
Northwest (3-1) handed No. 1-ranked Minnesota State (1-1) its first loss since Feb. 17, 2024, against Northern State, and their largest margin of defeat since Jan. 11, 2020, against Southwest Minnesota State. Northwest led for nearly 30 minutes of game time, keeping Minnesota State's only lead in the first half. The Bearcats controlled the pace by outscoring the Mavericks in each of the final three quarters.
The Bearcats shot an efficient 46.3% (25-of-54) from the field, including 42.9% (9-of-21) from beyond the arc, and hit 68% (26-of-38) of their free throws. Meanwhile, the Mavericks struggled from three-point range, hitting just two total, and shot 35.9% (23-of-64) from the floor.
Four Bearcats scored in double figures. Graduate guard
Caely Kesten capped off an incredible weekend with a career-high 27 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field, 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, and a flawless 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Senior forward
Kelsey Fields added 18 points and eight rebounds, while
Molly Hartnett contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Lindsey Kelderman also had a strong game, recording 13 points and eight rebounds, including two on the offensive glass.
Minnesota State opened the game with a three-pointer from the left corner on its first possession, but Northwest responded swiftly. Breaking through the Mavericks' full-court press, Northwest scored on an
Emree Zars floater after a quick sequence of passes from Kelderman and Kesten. The Bearcats later took their largest lead of the first quarter, up by four, at the 2:20 mark when Kesten sank a three-pointer to complete an 8-0 scoring run, putting them ahead 17-13. Kesten then hit another three on the following possession before Minnesota State closed the quarter with a 9-4 run, taking a narrow 22-21 lead. The Bearcats faced intense full-court pressure, which led to six turnovers in the opening period.
Kesten opened the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, pushing Northwest ahead 27-24 with eight minutes left in the half. Entering the bonus with 3:18 remaining in the quarter, Northwest capitalized to outscore Minnesota State 18-11 in the period, going into halftime with a 39-33 lead.
Kesten led all scorers in the first half with 18 points, while Kelderman added seven points, including 4-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line.
Northwest took control with an offensive burst in the second half, reigniting momentum that carried through the remainder of the game. Holding a 57-46 lead, Fields asserted her presence in the paint, sparking a 7-1 run to close the third quarter with the Bearcats ahead 64-50. Fields dominated in the period, racking up 14 points and pulling down four rebounds, including three on the offensive end.
The Bearcats extended their lead to a game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter. With a steady 10-of-11 effort from the free-throw line in the final period, Northwest clinched its first win over a No. 1-ranked team, defeating the defending Division II national champions Minnesota State, 85-67. This victory also marked their second top five win in just four games this season.
Up Next:
Northwest will travel to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., to take on Rockhurst at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.
