EMPORIA, Kan. - The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team claimed a feisty, one-point win Saturday at Emporia State University when Sadie Maas blocked a last-second shot attempt by the Hornets at White Auditorium.

The Bearcats (18-11 overall, 11-8 MIAA) drained a season-high 13 three-pointers and swept the ESU Hornets for the first time since the 2021-22 season. ESU fell to 14-14 overall and 8-11 in MIAA play.

The Bearcat win paired with a Pittsburg State loss pushed Northwest up to the No. 5 slot in the MIAA standings. The official MIAA Tournament schedule will be released later this evening.
 
Northwest Missouri State opened the first quarter with a strong showing from beyond the arc, as Kirsten Hauck sank three 3-pointers, contributing significantly to the team's early scoring efforts. Despite some turnovers, the visiting team managed to keep pace with the Hornets, who found success inside the paint. Sadie Maas added a critical jumper with 2:55 remaining, pushing the Bearcats ahead briefly. The quarter concluded with both teams locked at 16, setting the stage for a competitive game ahead.
 
The Bearcats began the second quarter with an early lead as Boston Wand converted an offensive rebound into a layup at 9:38, making the score 18-16. However, the Hornets responded, keeping the quarter tightly contested with multiple lead changes. Bailey Birmingham's 3-pointer at 8:28 provided the Bearcats a brief three-point advantage, but the Hornets' consistent scoring from the free-throw line and points in the paint shifted momentum. Despite Maas tying the game at 29 with a layup and free throw, the Hornets pulled ahead. A late fast-break 3-pointer by Birmingham brought the Bearcats within two, but the quarter ended with the Hornets leading 39-34.
 
The Bearcats opened the third quarter with a fast-break 3-pointer by Birmingham, assisted by Hauck, to briefly narrow the deficit. Brooklyn Stanley then contributed with a jumper in the paint, followed by a 3-pointer, bringing the score to 42-43. The Bearcats took the lead at 5:54 with Maas converting two free throws, extending the advantage to 44-43.
 
The quarter saw a back-and-forth contest as Hauck's 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining reclaimed the lead for the Bearcats at 51-49. However, the Hornets responded with late free throws and a layup to retake the lead. The quarter ended tied at 17-17, leading to a 56-51 deficit for the Bearcats as the game concluded.
 
Northwest Mo. St. made a strong push in the fourth quarter to secure the win, highlighted by a pivotal 3-pointer from Stanley at 5:08 that put them ahead 64–61. Maas contributed with a defensive stop, grabbing a rebound and blocking a shot in the final moments. The decisive play occurred when Birmingham hit two crucial free throws with 1:21 remaining, giving Northwest Mo. St. a 71–70 lead. Maas provided the final stand by blocking a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.
 
Hauck led the team with 22 points, converting 5 of 8 three-point attempts. Stanley added 15 points and dished out five assists, making 4 of 6 shots from beyond the arc. Maas recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while also blocking three shots. It is her fifth career double-double and fourth of the season. Wand contributed with six rebounds and five assists, alongside two blocks and two steals.