Northwest Missouri State suffered through a long scoring drought and couldn't pull back even as Adams State hung on for a 56-51 win Friday afternoon in the opening game of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic from the Civic Arena in St. Joseph.
The Bearcats were in a close battle with the Grizzlies, an NCAA Tournament team from a season ago. Northwest held a narrow two-point lead at halftime, and seemed to be building momentum as transfer guard Andrea Lopreato scored six of the Bearcats' first eight points to begin the second half and open a four-point advantage.
Adams State responded with a 12-0 run that extended from mid third quarter into the fourth. The Grizzlies grew their advantage to 11 points with 3:04 remaining in the game. Northwest responded with an 8-0 run to climb back within three points of Adams State, but they couldn't get any closer.
Lopreato paced the Bearcats with 16 points. Sadie Maas finished with 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Northwest faces West Texas A&M Sunday on the final day of the classic. Tip-off is noon. Pregame on KXCV 90.5 and KRNW 88.9 begins at 11:30am.