MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team captured its second ranked win this season over  No. 15-ranked Fort Hays State, 69-55. 

Bearcat Arena was rocking as the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats (16-5 overall, 10-5 MIAA) dribbled out the last seconds to take down No. 15-ranked Fort Hays State. Laini Joseph was remarkable down the stretch for Northwest, piling up 16 points and seven rebounds. Lindsey Kelderman knocked down three shots behind the arc, totaling 15 points. Jayna Green's defensive efforts never go unnoticed as she had three blocks and two steals. 

Olivia Hollenbeck led the Tigers (16-5 overall, 9-6 MIAA) with a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds. 

After trailing early, Northwest emerged on a 13-3 run to take a 15-8 lead with just over a minute to go. Lindsey Kelderman knocked in a three-point shot with 21 seconds to go in the first quarter to give the Bearcats an 18-10 advantage after one. 

The ability to defend and secure rebounds was the answer for Northwest in the first half. The Bearcats found ways to get to the rack and knock down open shots to manage a 36-22 lead going into halftime. Laini Joseph led the first-half scoring attack with nine points. Kelsey Fields secured six boards, with three on the offensive end that later led to points. Northwest shot 46.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. 

Northwest kept cruising in the third quarter, breaking out to its largest lead of the game of 20. The Bearcats led 48-32 when the U5 media timeout occurred. Fort Hays State went on a quick 6-0 run before Emma Atwood found Jayna Green on a high-low basket. The Tigers' Katie Wagner drilled a three with three seconds to play in the third to cut Northwest's lead down to single digits. With one quarter to play, the Bearcats led 50-42. 

The Bearcats shot 45.1 percent from the field (31.6 3PT) and won the rebounding battle 35-25. Northwest's bench was another key advantage in defeating another ranked opponent, outscoring Fort Hays State, 20-5.