PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball team secured a 65-59 road win over No. 20-ranked Pittsburg State University to run the Bearcat win streak to five in a row.
Northwest (15-10 overall, 8-7 MIAA) held Pittsburg State (18-6 overall, 11-4 MIAA) to a season-low 59 points. It also marked Northwest’s first win at Pitt State since Dec. 8, 2010. It is the fifth win for head coach Austin Meyer against a ranked opponent.
Brooklyn Stanley scored a career-high 15 points and collected six rebounds. Bailey Birmingham added 14 points, recorded a career-high tying nine rebounds, and made two steals. Sadie Maas posted 12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. Boston Wand finished with seven rebounds and one steal.
Northwest opened play with a steady offensive start, highlighted by Bailey Birmingham’s 3-pointer at the 6:41 mark, bringing the score to 5–0. Sadie Maas contributed with a strong defensive effort, recording both a block and an assist. However, the Gorillas managed to rally and took the lead with a late layup, closing the quarter at 13–11.
The Bearcats gained momentum in the second quarter with a strong 9–0 run, highlighted by Kenzie Melcher’s three-pointer at 6:37, tying the game at 17. Brooklyn Stanley’s layup and subsequent free throw at 5:22 helped the home team edge ahead, setting the stage for a dominant stretch. Stanley’s performance was a standout, as she scored a career-high 15 points. Kirsten Hauck extended the lead with a three-pointer at 1:39, pushing Northwest Missouri State’s advantage to five. They outscored the Gorillas 23–12 in the quarter and led 34–25 at halftime.
Northwest began the third quarter with a quick 3-pointer from Birmingham, assisted by Maas, at 9:49 to extend its lead. Despite the Gorillas’ efforts to close the gap with key three-pointers, the Bearcats maintained their edge through effective paint scoring, highlighted by Maas’s pivotal tip-in with 19 seconds remaining. The quarter ended with the Gorillas leading 20-12 in the quarter, but the Bearcats held a narrow overall lead of 46-45.
The Bearcats seized control early in the fourth quarter with a crucial layup by Melcher at 8:16, tying the score at 48. They then surged ahead with consecutive free throws by Birmingham and a fast-break layup by Stanley, pushing the lead to 52–49. Pittsburg State attempted to respond but was hampered by turnovers and missed opportunities.
Northwest maintained its advantage, extending the lead further with a key layup by Maas and a jumper by Birmingham. Despite Pittsburg State’s efforts to close the gap, the Bearcats secured the win with steady free-throw shooting in the final minute.
Northwest’s next game is set for Thursday, Feb. 19 at home against Northeastern State University. Tip will be at 5:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State’s Ethan Sage hit a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute and a pair of potential game-winning shots from Northwest Missouri State misfired as the Gorillas hung on for a 68-67 victory Saturday at Lance Arena.
The Bearcats (12-14 overall, 5-10 MIAA) held the lead for 65% of the game and led 60-50 with 7:35 to play. However, the Gorillas (14-10 overall, 8-6 MIAA) scored the contest’s final six points to claim a one-point victory.
Royce Williams led the team with 18 points, contributed eight assists and collected two steals. Aiden Gair added 10 points, converting two of three attempts from beyond the arc. Williams and Gair each attempted field goals to retake the lead in the final 20 seconds but could not convert those opportunities.
Robby Garcia scored 11 points and collected seven rebounds, including three successful 3-pointers. Jack Ratigan finished with eight points, recorded two blocks, and made three steals.
Northwest began the game with an assertive opening, as Ratigan’s layup at the 19:19 mark initiated a back-and-forth scoring exchange. The visitors capitalized on their perimeter shooting, with Gair hitting a key 3-pointer with 9:11 remaining, allowing the Bearcats to keep pace with Pittsburg St. Williams contributed significantly with multiple assists, including one to Garcia for a 3-pointer at 7:49, leveling the score at 19-19. A decisive momentum shift occurred when the Bearcats embarked on a scoring run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Williams at 4:48, extending their lead to 29-21. The half concluded with the Bearcats ahead 37-33.
Northwest surged ahead with a series of key plays early in the second half, highlighted by Garcia’s 3-pointer at 16:31, extending the lead to 44–39. Larenz Walters added a fast-break layup and completed the three-point play at 13:54, pushing the score to 50–41. Despite these efforts, Pittsburg State responded with a late comeback, capped by Sage’s 3-pointer at 0:42, which allowed them to regain the lead.
Northwest will return home to take on Northeastern State University Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Bearcat Arena.
