SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team defeated the Florida Southern Mocs, 52-37, in their first game of the MWSU Thanksgiving Classic.&nbsp; After winning the first quarter 9-8, the Bearcats started the second quarter on a 19-3 run. The Bearcats led 28-15 at the end of the first half. The Mocs scored the first six points of the second half. The Bearcats battled back to play the third quarter to a 10-10 tie. -The fourth quarter featured back-and-forth scoring and the Bearcats were able to pull out the quarter by a score of 14-12. The Bearcats led nearly the whole game, with the Mocs last lead coming near the end of the first quarter (8-7). The Bearcats shined defensively holding the Mocs, who were averaging 68.5 ppg, to nearly half their average, allowing 37 points, the Mocs lowest scoring total on the season. The Bearcats forced the Mocs to commit 20 turnovers and held them to 32.1% from the field. The Bearcats also did not allow a single made three-pointer on the night, forcing the Mocs to go 0-11 from behind-the-arc. Ellie Horn had 3 blocks and Jayna Green had 2. Kylie Coleman led the Bearcats with 17 points, Mia Stillman and Kendey Eaton added 9 points each. Erika Schlosser led the team in assists with five. The Bearcats will back in action tomorrow against McKendree in their second game of the MWSU Thanksgiving Classic in St. Joseph at 1:30 p.m. --- Northwest Athletics ---

Northwest women knock off Florida Southern 52-37