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.
The Mules improved to 13-4 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play. Northwest moved to 9-7 overall and 2-3 in league action. The Bearcat bench enjoyed a 22-2 scoring advantage over the Mules.
Despite a balanced offense with four players scoring in double digits, Northwest could not hold off Central Mo., who outscored them by 14 points in the second half.
The game commenced with Royce Williams securing an early lead for Northwest with a 3-pointer at 19:04, assisted by Larenz Walters. Northwest maintained a narrow edge through effective scoring in the paint, particularly with Walters contributing a layup and a free throw at 10:14 to extend their advantage to four points.
Central Mo. kept the contest tight, matching Northwest in both field goals and three-pointers, resulting in multiple lead changes and ties throughout the half. However, Northwest regained control in the final minutes, with Mikhail Abdul-Hamid securing a layup at 00:27, ending the half ahead 35–31.
Northwest initially extended its lead with an early three-pointer from Williams at 18:23, assisted by Jack Ratigan, pushing the score to 40–33. Despite this, Central Missouri responded with a series of successful offensive plays, leveling the game 43–43 at 14:36. The Bearcats briefly recaptured the lead with a three-pointer by Presley Ibeh at 12:07, but Central Missouri quickly tied the game again.
As the half progressed, Northwest struggled to maintain its lead. A significant moment came when Trey Moala converted a layup at 8:54 after a critical steal by Aiden Gair, giving them a narrow 58–57 advantage. However, Central Missouri capitalized on a late turnover and foul, securing the win with a final free throw at 0:10. The game ended with Central Missouri on top, 76–72.
Williams led the team with 18 points, converting three of six attempts from beyond the arc and collecting seven rebounds. Moala contributed 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding six rebounds to his performance. Abdul-Hamid posted 12 points, hitting two 3-pointers and finishing with three rebounds. Walters scored 10 points and dished out four assists.
Northwest will play host to No. 1-ranked and undefeated Washburn Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.
