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MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri Bearcats defeated the 25th ranked Truman Women 72-65 in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs will host a first round MIAA postseason tournament game on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. in Pershing Arena.
 
Truman (19-7; 12-6 MIAA) got off to a sluggish start after scoring the first four points of the game. The Bearcats (14-12; 8-10 MIAA) scored the next 10 points and lead the rest of the half.  Nicole Gloor scored the first four points then her and the team’s next basket, a three-pointer, was over eight minutes later.
 
Courtney Strait came off the bench was the offense for the Bulldogs as she tallied 21 points, her second 20-point plus performance of the season.
 
The Bearcats led by eight before Becka McHenry and Allie Norton connected on consecutive treys and Strait tied the game with a pair of free throws at the 16:42 mark.  Strait then keyed a 7-0 Truman spurt to push the ‘Dogs ahead by four at 43-39.
 
Northwest scored 12 of the next 14 points to take command of the game. Tember Schechinger and Meridee Scott both hit from outside during the run.
 
Norton’s three-pointer with 40 seconds left climbed Truman back to within four but the Bearcats made good on three of four free throw attempts to seal the victory.
 
Northwest had five players in double figures led by Schechinger’s 16 points and Maggie Marnin’s 14. The Bearcats shot 51% for the game and knocked down 7-of-11 three-pointers.
 
Norton joined Strait in double digits with 15 points but the Bulldogs shot 36% from the floor.
 
Truman will host Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. in Pershing Arena in the first round of the MIAA postseason tournament. Truman swept the regular season match-up with the Bearcats.
 
Since it is an MIAA tournament game, no season passes will be honored and admission prices have been set by the conference office. Truman students who arrive prior to the tip off will have their admissions covered by the Truman Athletics department. Tickets will by $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.

Courtesy: Truman State University