Bearcat women fade in second half at Fort Hays

Northwest Missouri State's second half and road struggles continued Wednesday night in a 65-53 loss to Fort Hays State at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The Bearcats held a 26-25 halftime lead, but were outscored 40-27 in the second half.

Fort Hays State used a 12-0 run to gain as much as a 14-point lead.

This marked the second straight game in which the Bearcats (11-9, 5-7) have led by one at the half and lost by double-digits. Northwest is now 1-6 on the road in conference play.

Despite being out rebounded 26-15 by the Tigers, Northwest played well enough to lead most of the first half. Ashleigh Nelson was 3-for-7 from behind the three-point line and ended the first half with nine points. She finished with a team-high 15.

The second half only had three ties and two lead changes that ultimately favored the Tigers (15-5, 7-5.

Fort Hays State's post duo of Kate Lehman and Katelyn Edwards produced 35 points and 21 rebounds.

Lehman had a game-high 19 and eight rebounds. Edwards finished with 17 points and 13 boards. She scored 11 of her points in the second half.

Northwest shot only 34.5 percent and 4-16 from three.

Meridee Scott led a parade of Northwest single-digits scorers with nine.

The Bearcats will be back on the road Saturday to take on Washburn for a 5 p.m. tip-off.