Jan. 12 - Gross Coliseum (Hays, Kan.)
Northwest Missouri State at #2 Fort Hays State, 5:30 p.m.
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Jan. 15 - Bearcat Arena (Maryville, Mo.)
#16 Nebraska-Kearney at Northwest Missouri State, 1:30 p.m.
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NORTHWEST RETURN TO ACTION AFTER WEEK OFF; BEARCATS TRAVEL TO HAYS, HOST LOPERS
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat women's basketball team (11-2 overall, 6-1 MIAA) will look to maintain its winning ways after having two games postponed this past week. Northwest will travel to No. 2-ranked Fort Hays State (13-1 overall, 7-1 MIAA) Wednesday before returning home to play host to No. 16-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (11-2 overall, 7-1 MIAA) Saturday.

FOUR GAME WIN STREAK FOR NORTHWEST
Northwest's four-game win streak is tied with Washburn for the second-longest active win streak in the league. Fort Hays State has won six consecutive contests entering this week's slate of games.

NORTHWEST AGAINST WBCA RANKED FOES
Northwest's last road win over a WBCA ranked opponent came March 14, 2008, in a 72-71 victory over No. 10-ranked West Texas A&M.
Northwest's last victory over a WBCA ranked foe was on Jan. 21, 2017, when the Bearcats topped No. 23-ranked Fort Hays State in Bearcat Arena, 92-80.
Northwest last defeated a top-five opponent on Dec. 2, 2009, when the Bearcats scored an 88-76 triumph over No. 5-ranked Emporia State in Maryville.

NORTHWEST VS. FORT HAYS STATE
Fort Hays State holds a 17-10 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. The Tigers have won 13 of the last 14 meetings with the Bearcats.
    Northwest's last win in the series came Jan. 21, 2017, when the Bearcats tallied a 92-80 home win over the Tigers.
    The Tigers are one of three MIAA teams (Central Missouri, Emporia State) that head coach Austin Meyer has yet to defeat in his tenure on the Bearcat women's basketball sideline.

NORTHWEST VS. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Nebraska-Kearney owns a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series with Northwest. The Lopers have won three straight matchups in the series.
    Northwest's last win against UNK came on Jan. 24, 2019, when the Bearcats notched a 74-62 road win over the Lopers.
    Head coach Austin Meyer is 1-3 against Nebraska-Kearney.

FIRST-PLACE IS WITHIN REACH
Northwest enters this week's set of game one-half game out of first place in the MIAA standings.

PROTECTING BEARCAT ARENA
Northwest has produced a mark of 8-1 in Bearcat Arena this season. The eight home wins are the most victories in Bearcat Arena since Northwest went 8-8 at home in the 2013-14 season.

Most Home Wins Since 2010-11
15-0 - 2010-11
10-4 - 2012-13
8-8 - 2013-14
8-1 - 2021-22
7-8 - 2014-15

BEARCATS END 17-GAME SKID VS PSU
Northwest ended a 17-game losing skid vs. Pittsburg State with a 66-62 win in Bearcat Arena.

HOT SHOOTING VS MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Northwest shot a season-best 59.0% from the field (23-of-39) in Saturday's 61-51 win over Missouri Southern. It is the second time this season that Northwest has shot 50% or better.

NO. 7 IN D2SIDA CENTRAL REGION POLL
Northwest fell one spot to No. 7 in the Jan. 10 D2SIDA Central Region poll. Fort Hays State is ranked No.1 with Nebraska-Kearney coming in at No. 3. Missouri Western is ranked No. 5 with the Bearcats at No. 6. Central Missouri moved into the poll at No. 8. Central Oklahoma is receiving votes.

D2SIDA Central Region Poll
1. Fort Hays State (4)    13-1
2. Southwestern Okla. St.    14-2    
3. Nebraska-Kearney (1)    11-1
4. St. Cloud State        11-2
5. Missouri Western        12-1
6. Minnesota-Duluth    10-4
7. Northwest Mo. St.    11-2
8. Central Missouri        10-6
9. Minnesota State        11-3
10. Concordia-St. Paul    10-4

BEST IN MIAA IN SCORING DEFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 1 in the MIAA (No. 15 in the nation) in scoring defense by holding opponents to 53.1 points per game.
    Northwest has held five opponents to fewer than 50 points, including a season-low of 29 to McKendree.
    Northwest's highest point total allowed this season was 64 in the season-opener vs. Southwest Minnesota State. Since then, Northwest has allowed only four teams to score 60 or more points this season.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Defense
Rk.    School    PPG Allowed
1.    Grand Valley State    48.0
2.    USciences    48.8
3.    Eckerd    48.9
4.    Augusta    49.5
5.    Western Washington    49.7
6.    Indiana (Pa.)    50.5
7.    California (Pa.)    50.6
8.    Lubbock Christian    50.9
9.    Missouri-St. Louis    51.3
10.    Colorado Mines    52.0
11.    UNC Pembroke    52.5
12.    Colorado Mesa    52.6
13.    Northwest Mo. St.    53.1
14.    Mount Olive    53.4
15.    Mississippi College    53.6

BEARCATS LIMITING FG PERCENTAGES
Through seven league games, Northwest is allowing an MIAA-low 35.2% shooting by the opposition.
    On the entire season, the Bearcats rank No. 2 in the MIAA in field goal defense at 36.5%. Nebraska-Kearney leads the league in field goal defense (36.4%).
    
MCCONKEY GOES FOR 23 VS LIONS
Senior Mallory McConkey registered her sixth career 20-point scoring game when she tallied a game-high 23 points against Missouri Southern.
    McConkey went 9-of-10 from the field vs the Lions as Northwest scored a 61-51 victory.
    McConkey followed that up with a 16-point effort in a 66-62 win over Pittsburg State on Monday. McConkey was the lone double-figure scorer for the Bearcats in both matchups.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 43
Molly Hartnett - 21
Kylie Coleman - 19
Paityn Rau - 11
Jayna Green - 5
Peyton Kelderman - 5
Emma Atwood - 3
Jillian Fleming - 3
Evelyn Vazquez - 2
Caely Kesten - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 6
Molly Hartnett - 3

PERIMETER DEFENSE LOCKED IN
Northwest's defense ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in fewest three-point shots attempted (136). Northwest ranks No. 2 in the league fewest three-point field goals made by the opposition (40).
    Among Div. II teams that have played at least five games, Northwest ranks No. 7 in the nation in fewest 3-pointers attempted by its opponents.
    Northwest also ranks tied for No. 14 in the nation in fewest three-pointers allowed by its opponents (40).
    Through seven MIAA games, Northwest's opponents have made 23-of-76 three-pointers (30.3%).

NCAA Div. II Fewest 3-Point Attempts Allowed
Rk.    School    3-PT FG Att. Allowed
1.    Virginia Union    94
2.    Barton    106
3.    California (Pa.)    107
4.    Hawaii-Hilo    124
5.    Central St.    130
6.    Fresno Pacific    135
7.    Northwest Mo. St.    136
8.    Livingstone    138
9.    Shorter    142
10.    Alaska-Anchorage    143
(minimum of five games played)

NOT A LOT OF TURNOVERS
Northwest ranks No. 11 in the nation (No. 3 in the MIAA) in fewest turnovers per game. The Bearcats are averaging 12.2 turnovers per game. Nebraska-Kearney is tops in the nation with 10.6 turnovers per game.

NCAA Div. II Fewest Turnovers Per Game
Rk.    School    TPG
1.     Nebraska-Kearney    10.6
2.    Henderson St,    11.1
3.    Ferris State    11.6
4.    Cedarville    11.8
5.    USciences    11.8
6.    Hawaii-Hilo    11.9
7.    Hawaii Pacific    11.9
8.    Missouri-St. Louis    12.0
9.    Fort Hays State    12.1
10.    Lubbock Christian    12.2
11.    Northwest Mo. St.    12.2
12.    MSU Moorhead    12.3
13.    St. Cloud State    12.6
14.    Emporia State    12.7
15.    Southwestern Okla. St.    12.8

BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Northwest is 19-1 for head coach Austin Meyer when it wins the rebounding battle.
    Northwest won the rebounding battle, 41-23, against Missouri Southern. Northwest's +18 in rebounding is the highest rebound margin this season for the Bearcats.
    Northwest has won the rebounding battle against Minnesota-Crookston (+2), Missouri S&T (+11), Winona State (+3), Northeastern State (+10), Lincoln (+4) and McKendree (+14) and Missouri Southern (+18).

MCCONKEY MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN
Fifth-year senior Mallory McConkey finds a way to contribute in all areas on the floor.
    She is Northwest's leading scorer at 12.4 points per game. McConkey has upped her scoring to 14.6 points per game in MIAA play. McConkey has tallied nine double-figure scoring games this season.
    McConkey is second on the squad in rebounding (4.6 rpg). She is shooting 57.9% from the field on 62-of-107 field goals.
    
MILESTONE WATCH
Mallory McConkey is edging closer to 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. McConkey has posted 958 points and 532 rebounds in her career. She would be the 19th member of the 1,000 points/500 rebounds club. She would also be the 28th player to reach 1,000 points.

Northwest's 1,000 Points/500 Rebounds
1. Julie Chadwick (1978-81) - 1,269p/1,006r
2. Janet Clark (1986-89) - 2,121p/509r
3. Janet Cooksey (1975-78) - 1,198p/663r
4. Annie Coy (1995-98) - 1,240p/545r
5. Jodi Giles (1979-82) - 1,189p/702r
6. Christy Hudlemeyer (1983-87) - 1,048p/589r
7. Lisa Kenkel (1989-92) - 1,183p/624r
8. Diane Kloewer (1981-84) - 1,489p/686r
9. Kelly Leintz (1985-88) - 1,404p/710r
10. Sandy (Cummings) Nelson (1987-90) - 1,234p/531r
11. Patty Painter (1978-81) - 1,511p/733r
12. Marla Sapp (1982-85) - 1,445p/597r
13. Tember Schechinger (2013-16) - 1,050p/616r
14. Mandi Schumacher (2005-08) - 1,411p/763r
15. Denise Sump (1997-00) - 1,471 p/694r
16. Danae Wagner (1989-92) - 1,538p/726r
17. Mary Wiebke (1980-83) - 1,011p/517r
18. Tanya Meyer (2014-18) - 1,446p/694r

STAT TALK FOR HARTNETT
Molly Hartnett ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (85.1%) as she has made 40-of-47 free throws.
    Hartnett ranks second on the Bearcats in scoring at 10.1 points per game. She has handed out a team-high 32 assists on the year.

KELDERMAN FINDS A GROOVE FROM 3
True freshman guard Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 13 games this season. Kelderman has sank at least two three-pointers in nine of the 13 contests.
    She has drained a team-best 25 three-pointers and is shooting 32.5% from beyond the arc. She ranks No. 6 in the MIAA in most three-pointers made (25). She ranks No. 7 in the league in three-pointers made per game (1.9).
    Kelderman ranks third on the team in scoring at 8.5 points per game. She has reached double-figure scoring in five games, with a season-high 16 points in a 65-62 win vs. Winona State.

GREEN WORKING FOR BLOCKS
Sophomore Jayna Green ranks No. 9 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots chart. She registered 29 blocks as a freshman before notching 33 in 2020-21. Green has blocked 19 shots this season, which ranks second in the MIAA. Green also leads the team in rebounding at 5.9 boards per game.

Northwest's Blocked Shots in a Career
1. Sarah Vollertsen (2002-04)     122
2. Shelby Mustain (2014-16)    107
3. Maggie Marnin (2011-15)    100
4. Gentry Dietz (2009-11)    99
4. Kyla Roehrig (2010-11)    99
6. Jenna Wolfe (2001-04)    94
7. Tember Schechinger (2013-16)    85
8. Lori Schneider (1986-89)    83
9. Jayna Green (2019-pres.)    81
10. Danae Wagner (1987-90)    58

VAZQUEZ MAKING PLAYS
Freshman Evelyn Vazquez has come off the bench in all 13 games and is averaging 19.0 minutes per game.
    Vazquez leads the Bearcats in steals (11). She is tied for second on the squad in assists (24). Vazquez has dished out 17 of her assists in MIAA play.
    She is averaging 5.9 points per game. She scored a season-high 13 points in a win over Missouri S&T.

BEST NON-CONFERENCE SINCE TURN OF THE CENTURY FOR THE BEARCATS
Northwest completed its non-conference slate with a 5-1 record and an 83.3% win percentage - its best since the turn of the century.
    Northwest went 7-2 (77.8%) in 2004 and 2007, 6-2 (75.0%) in 2013 and 8-3 (72.7%) in 2006 for its top non-conference marks since 2000.
    Northwest produced an 14-0 non-conference mark in the 1983-84 season under head coach Wayne Winstead for its best pre-MIAA mark in program history en route to a regular season league crown.

ALREADY SURPASSED LAST YEAR'S WIN TOTAL
It only took 10 games into the 2021-22 season for Northwest to surpass its victory total from the previous season.
    Head coach Austin Meyer has led the turn around of the program going from eight wins in 2018-19 to 12 wins in 2019-20 and seven victories in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.

SIX OUT OF SEVEN TO START MIAA PLAY
Northwest has begun MIAA play by winning six of its first seven league matchups. Northwest's best start to MIAA play came with a 7-0 start in the 2003-04 campaign.

SEVEN-GAME WIN STREAK
Northwest's seven-game win streak was the longest for a Bearcat team since an 11-game win streak in the 2010-11 season.
    Northwest's longest win streak in school history is 20 set in the 1983-84 season from Nov. 18, 1983, to Feb. 1, 1984.

MEYER INCREASES CONFERENCE WINS
Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer has increased his conference win totals in each of his three seasons as a head coach.

Northwest MIAA Win Totals
2011-12     4
2012-13    8
2013-14    7
2014-15    4
2015-16    3
2016-17    4
2017-18    4
2018-19    4
2019-20    6
2020-21    7
2021-22    6

50 SEASONS STRONG
The Bearcats are playing in their 50th season as a program. The first women's basketball season was in 1971-72 when head coach Sherri Reeves led the 'Cats to a 9-2 record as MAIAW Champions. Northwest also finished 5th in the AIAW Region VI Tournament where they defeated Wayne (Neb.) State, 74-62, before falling to Kansas State, 70-66.

BEARCATS INK ST. JOSEPH PRODUCT
Northwest Missouri State University head women's basketball  coach Austin Meyer has announced a signee for the Bearcats' 2022-23 recruiting class.
    Ella Moody is a 5'10", guard from St Joseph, Mo. She will graduate from Central High School this spring and has accumulated a 3.9 GPA. Moody was a part of the Class 6 all-state team, the first in Missouri's history. She was selected the Suburban Conference Player of the Year and was an all-district selection, finishing among the Kansas City metro leaders at 19.2 points per game, averaging 6.4 rebounds.

PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AT PIZZA RANCH
Northwest head coach Austin Meyer will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 1 p.m. for a press conference at the Maryville Pizza Ranch.