MARYVILLE, Mo. -- A trio of double-figure scorers could not lift the Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team past the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Thursday in Bearcat Arena as the Bearcats were dealt a 68-57 defeat.

Northwest drops to 15-5 overall, 9-5 in the MIAA as Nebraska Kearney improves to 15-5 overall, 9-5 in conference play. 

Molly Hartnett started the game with a wide-open three to erupt Bearcat Arena. After the Hartnett basket, the Lopers went on a 13-3 run to take a 13-6 lead. Later in the quarter, Northwest put together a quick 5-0 in under a minute, after a three from Lindsey Kelderman. Nebraska Kearney led 18-13 after one.

Evelyn Vasquez picked Jillian Aschoff's pocket and converted on a fastbreak bucket and free throw with a minute left to cut the Loper lead down to three. At the end of the first half, Northwest trailed 32-28. 

Laini Joseph converted on six straight free throws to cut the Loper lead to five with 2:29 to play in the third. Peyton Kelderman nailed a deep three-pointer to end the third quarter to pull the Bearcats within three. 

Nebraska Kearney managed to go on a 7-0 run in just under four minutes to give a 60-51 lead midway through the final quarter. Northwest cut the Loper lead down to seven with 1:20 to play, but free throws and offensive boards down the stretch for Kearney were the difference as the Lopers recorded an 11-point win.

The trio of Kelsey Fields, Lindsey Kelderman, and Laini Joseph all scored 10 points to lead the Bearcats in scoring. Fields and Joseph each pulled down six boards. Northwest shot 31.3 percent from the field (18.8 percent from three-point range). 

The Bearcats are back in action against No. 15-ranked Fort Hays State in Bearcat Arena on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.