MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Although both teams came into Saturday's contest shooting the ball well, Missouri Western had built a 9-0 (4-0 MIAA) record on the strength of a high-paced offense, while Northwest Missouri State built its 8-2 (3-1 MIAA) record with a more methodical offense and stifling defense. But with both teams shooting as cold as the frigid temperatures outside, the Bearcat defense proved too much for the Griffons to overcome as MWSU dropped a 49-46 result.

From the opening tip, it was clear that neither team was in its normal rhythm offensively, as it took almost four minutes for the first made basket for either team. Jayna Green finally hit the net with 6:17 on the clock, but Trinity Knapp answered with back-to-back buckets for Missouri Western to start a 9-0 run.

Northwest Missouri seemed to shake out of the doldrums a bit quicker than the Griffons, responding with a 16-11 second quarter burst to take a 23-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Missouri Western battled its way back into the game in the third, as Corbyn Cunningham sank a layup with 7:57 on the clock to pull the Griffons within a 25-23 deficit. After misses on each team's next possession, Connie Clarke picked up a big stuff on Mallory McConkey then scored on the oppposite end to tie the game at 25-25.

The shooting woes for the Griffons resurfaced, however, as a three-pointer by Jordan Cunningham was the only made FG over the next six minutes for the visitors. A strong effort from the free throw line kept Missouri Western within striking distance of the Bearcats, as the teams traded the lead back and forth twice in the third with Northwest Missouri taking a 39-35 margin into the fourth.

Free throws continued to be important in the fourth quarter, as each team picked up just two field goal makes in the final 10 minutes. Despite the shooting struggles, Missouri Western managed to put itself in a position to win in the final minute. Clarke pulled the Griffons within a 47-46 deficit with 41.6 to play as she knocked down a pair of free throws, and a defensive stop put the ball back in MWSU's hands with 12.1 seconds on the clock.

Missouri Western was able to get the ball to Knapp on the left elbow, but her contested jumper was off the mark and the whistle blew as both teams were battling for the rebound. Camille Evans was called for a foul, but even after a pair of makes the Griffons had one last chance to send the game to overtime.

A quick timeout advanced the ball to the near side of the court, and although Jaelyn Haggard was able to find an opening in the swarming defense, her last-second three-pointer hit just short and bounced out as the buzzer sounded.

Missouri Western shot 29.5 percent (13-44) on the afternoon, with Knapp leading all scorers with 15. Northwest Missouri hit at a 25.8 percent (16-62) pace, but a 7-2 edge in three-pointers made the difference.

The Griffons close out the 2021 calendar year on Wednesday, Dec. 29, with a 1 p.m. game against University of Saint Mary.