Competition level heightens with trip to No. 9 Washburn

Northwest Missouri State's stock rose to a season-high with their 67-64 upset win over Northeastern State at Bearcat Arena Jan. 31.

Consecutive double-digit losses since then to Emporia State and Fort Hays State have stolen a lot of Northwest's momentum and hurt their chances at a home first round MIAA Tournament game.

The Bearcats led both games at the half only to be outscored by 15 and 13 points in the second halves.

That makes five times in their seven conference losses the Bearcats have been unable to hold a halftime lead.

Three of those have occurred on the road where the Bearcats (11-9, 5-7) are now just 1-6 in league play.

Tied for ninth in the conference, Northwest's toughest regular season test awaits Saturday with a road game against No. 9 Washburn at 5 p.m.

The Lady Blues (16-3, 10-1) are alone in first place in the MIAA and became the first team to clinch an MIAA Tournament berth Wednesday with a 65-48 win over Missouri Western. They've won five straight games, all by at least 11 points, since their lone conference loss to Northeastern State.

Washburn swept Northwest last year, winning by an average of 21.5 points.

The Lady Blues are the top defensive team in the MIAA, giving up just 51.4 points per game. During their current win streak, no one has reached 50 points against them. Washburn is also No. 1 in the league in field goal percentage defense, three-point percentage defense and rebounding margin.

Washburn isn't as explosive on offense as it was last year due to the graduation of MIAA Player of the Year Ebonie Williams, All-MIAA guard Stevi Schultz and All-MIAA center Cassie Lombardino.

The Lady Blues rank just 10th in the MIAA in scoring offense with 65.1 points per game. However, they are third-best in terms of field goal percentage.

Senior guard Laura Kinderknecht leads the Lady Blues in scoring and ranks fifth league-wide with 15.3 points per game. She's made a team-high 56 three-pointers and shoots over 39 percent from distance.

Washburn's only other double-figure scorer is senior forward Tiara George with 10.9 points per game. Her 60.1 field goal percentage is the second-best in the MIAA behind teammate Lavona McCall (.607).

Ranked second in the MIAA in field goal percentage, Northwest shot just 34.5 percent and 4-16 from three against Fort Hays State.

The Bearcats have been held under 60 points in two straight games and three of their last four.

Sophomores Ashleigh Nelson (11.5 ppg) and Maggie Marnin (11.2 ppg) are the Bearcats lone remaining double-figure scorers for the season. Nelson had a team-high 15 points at Hays.

Junior guard Meridee Scott and sophomore forward Annie Mathews each average 9.5 points per game.