MARYVILLE, Mo. — The University of Central Missouri Jennis closed the game on a 12-0 run to score a 66-61 victory over the Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team in Bearcat Arena.

The Jennies snapped Northwest's nine-game home-court winning streak and moved to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play. Northwest dropped its third straight game and sits at 9-6 overall and 2-3 in league play.

Northwest held a 61-54 advantage with 5:32 to play on a bucket from Sadie Maas. However, Northwest could not score after that point and UCM was able to tally the game's final 12 points.

Northwest Missouri State began the game focused on dominating the paint, scoring 16 points inside while securing a strong rebounding presence with 13 total boards. Andrea Lopreato was active early, contributing a tip-in and a key layup at 5:59, which briefly tied the game at 6-6. However, Central Missouri responded with effective perimeter shooting, highlighted by Neely Schaaf's 3-pointer at 1:53, extending their lead. Despite Brooklyn Stanley's late layup, the Bearcats trailed 21-16 at the end of the first quarter.

The Bearcats seized control in the second quarter with a significant offensive push, outscoring Central Mo. 21-14. Bailey Birmingham and Lopreato were instrumental, with Birmingham assisting on key plays, including a three-pointer at 8:31 that tied the score. As the quarter progressed, Northwest Mo. St. built momentum, highlighted by Ella Moody's late three-pointer at 1:04, which leveled the game. They maintained their edge, closing the half leading 37-35.

Northwest Missouri State opened the third quarter with a strong presence in the paint, highlighted by Lopreato's layup at 9:11, assisted by Boston Wand, to extend their lead. Despite a brief push from Central Missouri, highlighted by Hayden Heim's 3-pointer at 7:38, the Bearcats responded with a defensive stand and a quick layup by Wand at 6:34, maintaining their edge. Birmingham's fast-break 3-pointer at 3:54 extended the lead further. However, Central Missouri managed to tie the game at 52 with a late 3-pointer by Schaaf at 0:24. The quarter ended with a tied score of 52-52, setting up a decisive final quarter.

The Bearcats began the fourth quarter with a strong start as Birmingham hit a 3-pointer at 9:25, assisted by Moody, to extend their lead to 55-52. Kirsten Hauck later added a layup at 8:04, capitalizing on a Central Missouri turnover, to push the lead further. Sadie Maas contributed significantly with a layup at 6:25 following a defensive rebound, and a jumper at 5:32, extending Northwest Mo. St.'s lead to 61-54.

However, Central Missouri mounted a comeback, tying the game at 61-61 with free throws by Reese Schaaf at 2:04. In the final moments, Central Missouri edged ahead with a layup by Schaaf at 1:18 and extended their lead with free throws in the last seconds. Despite several offensive rebounds, the Bearcats were unable to reclaim the lead, and the game concluded with Central Missouri winning 66-61.

Moody scored 13 points and contributed two blocks. Lopreato added 12 points and recorded six rebounds. Maas posted three blocks and three steals. Birmingham converted three 3-pointers for a total of nine points.

Looking ahead, Northwest will face Washburn on Saturday at home beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.