Northwest Missouri State capped the regular season with a dramatic 71-70 win over Emporia State at White Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
The Bearcats (18-11, 11-8 MIAA) head into the MIAA Tournament as the five-seed and winners in eight of their last nine games.
Emporia State had an opportunity on the last possession of the game, but Gracie Gilpin's jump shot from the free throw line was blocked by Sadie Maas ending the Hornet threat.
Northwest trailed by five entering the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats tied it on a three-pointer by Bailey Birmingham and Boston Wand layup. ESU pushed back in front, but Brooklyn Stanley swung momentum with a game-tying three. Northwest went on top thanks to free throws from Birmingham with 3:13 to play.
Emporia State went back in front on a three from Kaitlyn Sanders at the 1:34 mark, but Birmingham stepped up for two more clutch free throws to put the Bearcats in front for good.
Kirsten Hauck led Northwest with 22 points while shooting 5-8 from three.
Birmingham went for 16 points. Stanley matched a career-high with 15, and Maas posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Northwest will face Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Friday at noon in Kansas City.