ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western women's basketball (13-6, 8-3 MIAA) overcame a five-point deficit at halftime and fended off Northwest Missouri State, 69-66, on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The game was a terrific battle that featured 10 ties and eight lead changes.

Missouri Western got off to a 9-0 start and led 22-16 at the end of the first quarter. Northwest (10-11, 3-8 MIAA) had a strong second quarter, going 9-of-12 from the field and scoring 25 points in the frame to grab a 41-36 lead at halftime.

The second half was close as it could be, but Missouri Western reclaimed the lead at 45-43 with 7:11 to go in the third quarter and led 54-53 entering the fourth.

The game was tied at 66-66 with 1:58 to go, but a pair of free throws by Kassandra Caron put the Griffs ahead 68-66 with 45 seconds left. Northwest missed its last two shots from the field, both three-point attempts, and Alyssa Bonilla made one more free throw to push the lead to 69-66 with 13 seconds left.

Northwest's Kelsey Fields had a look at a tying three in the corner, but the shot missed and Caron grabbed the final rebound.

In her fourth start of the season, Caron scored a season-best 15 points to go with seven rebounds. She made 9-of-12 at the free throw line.

Marie Sepp was terrific with a career-best 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three. Bonilla logged her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 assists. She also had six rebounds and three steals.

Molly Hartnett led Northwest with 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting and a 7-of-8 effort at the foul line. MWSU outrebounded Northwest 33-32, and the Griffons doled out 18 assists while only turning the ball over eight times.

MWSU shot 42.9% (24-of-56) from the field, including 8-of-30 from three (26.7%). The Griffons converted 13-of-17 (76.5%) at the free throw line as well.

Missouri Western is back on the road this coming week to face Rogers State (7-14, 1-11 MIAA). Tip-off on Thursday from the Claremore Expo Center is set for 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).