MARYVILLE,&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;- The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team (3-2 overall) scored a 73-40 win over Nebraska Christian (0-9) on Thursday at Bearcat Arena.&nbsp;The Bearcats started the night on a hot streak as&nbsp;Jaelyn&nbsp;Haggard opened up the scoring with an open look three. She didn’t stop there as she drained the next two three pointers to give Northwest a quick 9-0 lead at 8:41 in the first quarter.&nbsp;That was just the beginning for the Bearcats as they left the Sentinels defense in awe as they shot a staggering 54.5% from three-point range in the first. Pairing that with a 50% field goal percentage, Northwest took an easy 25-12 lead in the first quarter.&nbsp;Paityn&nbsp;Rau in the second quarter started to feel her grove as she led all scorers with four points in the second. Rau showcased her ability to do it all in the game as she finished with a double-double by scoring 14 points, while grabbing 12 rebounds.&nbsp;However, the highlight of the second quarter was Erika Schlosser’s buzzer beater three to that grew the Bearcats's lead to 43-19 at halftime.&nbsp;Northwest continued to play to its strengths in the third, as they were fueled by offensive rebounds and quick passes to the outside for three. The third was the closest scoring differential than all the other quarters as the Bearcats outscored Nebraska Christian, 15-11. Regardless of the margin, Northwest continued to grow the margin as it headed into the fourth quarter with the game in hand.&nbsp;Similar to the other quarters, the Bearcats dominated their way to the +5-scoring margin.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zoie&nbsp;Hayward finished the contest by sinking four free throws to complete the Bearcat scoring and help the home team to a 73-40 victory.&nbsp;NOTES:&nbsp;Kendey&nbsp;Eaton led the Bearcats in total points as she scored 17 points … The Bearcats finished the game shooting 36.8% from the field, 33.3% from the three-point line and 100% from the free throw line (12-12)… Northwest enjoyed a 13-3 offensive rebounding advantage ... Northwest won the rebounding battle, 39-24.

Northwest women defeat Nebraska Christian 73-40