ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team lost 88-49 to No. 16-ranked Missouri Western State University Saturday afternoon inside MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
The RiverHawks (4-8, 1-5 MIAA) have now lost eight of their last nine games after beginning the season 3-0. The Griffons (13-0, 7-0 MIAA) remained undefeated on the year.
 
Senior guard Kate Bellamy led NSU with a season-high 15 points. She has also scored in double figures in three-straight games. Senior forward Minja Savic entered the game with just five points total through the first half of the season, but she earned her first start of the year and erupted for a season-best 10 points. Junior forward Mary Jane Buschmann was just 4 of 17 from the field but she was able to manage 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
 
Northeastern State shot 34.6 percent (18-for-52) overall, 15.4 percent (2-for-13) from behind the 3-point line and 78.6 percent (11-for-14) at the free-throw line. Missouri Western State shot 52.7 percent (29-for-55) from the field, 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from deep and 88.0 percent (22-for-25) at the line.
 
LaQuinta Jefferson led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Sarafina Handy connected on five triples to post 15 points, while Dwanisha Tate added 11 and Julia Torres scored 10 for the home team.
 
The Griffons led in all statistical categories, including rebounding (37-25), assists (19-14), fewer turnovers (18-23), blocks (2-1), steals (17-5), points in the paint (40-18), points off turnovers (28-15), second-chance points (13-2), fast break points (14-0) and bench points (33-8).
 
NSU will remain in the area for its next game, which will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-