MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team defeated Rockhurst University, 66-53, at Bearcat Arena, capitalizing on a 42-33 rebounding advantage and 16 second-chance points.

Northwest moved to 2-3 on the year and Rockhurst fell to 2-1 overall.

Northwest began the quarter with a strong presence in the paint, highlighted by Boston Wand's early layup. The team built momentum with a solid 9–2 run capped by Bailey Birmingham's three-pointer at 7:51, extending the lead to 9–4. Defensively, they controlled the boards with 11 total rebounds and added two blocks, limiting the Hawks to just two field goals in the quarter. Northwest led 20–10 at the end of the first quarter. Impressively, Northwest held Rockhurst to 2-of-20 field goal shooting in the game's first 13 minutes and built a 31-14 lead.

Northwest extended its lead with an early surge, highlighted by a layup from Wand at 9:23, following a defensive rebound by Birmingham. Birmingham continued to be instrumental, securing a steal and converting it into a layup at 7:33, prompting a timeout from the Hawks. Despite the Hawks' attempts to close the gap, including a 3-pointer from Kayla Reis at 2:27, Northwest maintained control. Kenzie Melcher's 3-pointer at 0:54 helped secure their position. The quarter concluded with Northwest leading 34–23.

The Bearcats extended their lead with a strong shooting performance in the third quarter, highlighted by Kirsten Hauck's early 3-pointer at 9:01, assisted by Birmingham. Birmingham later added two more 3-pointers, enhancing their offensive momentum. The home team showed defensive resilience, recording three blocks, including a key block by Wand at 1:30. Despite the Hawks' attempts to narrow the gap, Northwest maintained control, finishing the quarter ahead 52-38. Northwest netted a season-best 10 steals, illustrating its defensive prowess throughout the game.

Northwest maintained control in the final quarter, with a decisive moment coming at 4:51 when Avery Yosten completed a three-point play, extending their lead to 59-42. Birmingham's free throws at 7:14 and Hauck's layup at 1:43 further reinforced their advantage. Despite the Hawks' attempts to close the gap, including a late three-pointer by Reis, Northwest's defense and timely rebounds secured the outcome. The game concluded with a final score of 66-53 in favor of the Bearcats. Notably, Northwest dished out a season-high 12 assists, showcasing its teamwork and ball movement.

Birmingham scored 16 points, making 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, and recorded five rebounds. Wand posted 10 points while adding three blocks and collecting nine rebounds. Melcher contributed 11 points and four assists. Sadie Maas secured eight rebounds and blocked three shots.

Looking ahead, Northwest will play host to Lincoln, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 22. The game is set for 1 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.