Jan. 20 - Hamilton Field House (Edmond, Okla.)
Northwest Missouri State at Central Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

Jan. 22 - Fugate Gymnasium (Wichita, Kan.)
Northwest Missouri State at Newman, 1:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

BEARCATS CONTINUE WEEK-LONG ROAD TRIP WITH GAMES AT CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, NEWMAN
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat women's basketball team (11-5 overall, 6-4 MIAA) will continue its week-long road trip with matchups at Central Oklahoma (Thursday, 5:30 p.m.) and at Newman (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.). Central Oklahoma is 11-6 overall and 7-4 in MIAA play, while Newman is 2-14 overall and 0-10 in league action.

TOP 10 QUALIFY FOR MIAA TOURNAMENT
The top 10 teams in the final regular season league standings will qualify for the 2022 MIAA Tournament set for March 2-6 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The top six seeds receive byes into the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing in the seven, eight, nine and 10 spots will play in Kansas City to reach the quarterfinals.

NORTHWEST VS. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Central Oklahoma holds a slim 7-6 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. Northwest has won three of the last four meetings, including two in a row in Edmond, Okla.
    Central Oklahoma is a perfect 7-0 at home this season in the Hamilton Field House.
    Head coach Austin Meyer is 3-1 vs. Central Oklahoma.

NORTHWEST VS. NEWMAN
Northwest has defeated Newman in both matchups in the series. In Northwest's last trip to Wichita, Kan., the Bearcats tallied 70-67 double-overtime triumph over the Jets.
    Head coach Austin Meyer is 2-0 against the Jets.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TIME FOR FIELDS
Freshman post Kelsey Fields secured her first collegiate double-double with career-highs in points (11) and rebounds (14) at Washburn.
    It was Field's first double-figure scoring game of her career and second double-figure rebounding contest.
    Fields recorded Northwest's first double-double of the season.

Career Double-Doubles
Jayna Green - 2
Mallory McConkey - 2
Kelsey Fields - 1
Molly Hartnett - 1

QUARTET OF SINGLE-DIGIT MIAA SETBACKS
Northwest's four league losses have all come by single digits.
    Central Missouri notched a three-point win (60-57) over Northwest on Dec. 13 in Warrensburg, Mo.
    No. 2 Fort Hays State held off Northwest by three points (63-60) in Hays, Kan., on Jan. 12.
    No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney secured a seven-point victory (67-60) over Northwest in Bearcat Arena on Jan. 15.
    Washburn posted a 58-52 victory over Northwest in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 17.

FIRST THREE HALFTIME DEFICITS OF YEAR
Northwest faced its first three halftime deficits of the season at Fort Hays State, at home vs. Nebraska-Kearney and at Washburn.
    Fort Hays State held a 35-28 lead at the break at Gross Coliseum en route to a 63-60 win over Northwest.
    Nebraska-Kearney owned a 36-24 advantage at the intermission on its way to a 67-60 victory over the Bearcats.
    Washburn claimed a 26-20 halftime lead over Northwest en route to a 58-52 triumph at Lee Arena.
    Northwest has held the halftime lead in 10 contests and been level at the half in three other matchups. Northwest is 8-2 when holding the lead at the break and 3-0 when tied at the intermission.

NO. 9 IN D2SIDA CENTRAL REGION POLL
Northwest dropped two spots to No. 9 in the Jan. 10 D2SIDA Central Region poll. Fort Hays State is ranked No.1 with Nebraska-Kearney coming in at No. 2. Central Missouri is ranked No. 6, Missouri Western is ranked No. 8. Missouri Southern moved into the poll at No. 9. Central Oklahoma is receiving votes.

D2SIDA Central Region Poll
1. Fort Hays State (5)    15-1
2. Nebraska-Kearney (1)    14-2
3. Southwestern Okla. St.    14-3    
4. St. Cloud State        12-3
5. Minnesota-Duluth    12-4
6. Central Missouri        12-6
7. Minnesota State        12-3
8. Missouri Western        12-3
9. Northwest Mo. St.    11-5
10. Missouri Southern    10-5

SECOND-BEST MIAA SCORING DEFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 2 in the MIAA (No. 20 in the nation) in scoring defense by holding opponents to 54.9 points per game. Nebraska-Kearney leads the league in scoring defense at 53.9 points per contest.
    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 five teams to score 60 or more points this season.

BEARCATS LIMITING FG PERCENTAGES
Through nine league games, Northwest ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in field goal percentage defense (38.6%).
    On the entire season, the Bearcats rank No. 5 in the MIAA in field goal defense at 38.2%.
    
FIELDS, KELDERMAN REACH DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING
Freshmen Kelsey Fields and Peyton Kelderman were Northwest's two double-figure scorers in Monday's 58-52 loss at Washburn.
    Fields earned her first double-figure scoring game, while Kelderman notched her sixth game of 10 points or more.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 43
Molly Hartnett - 23
Kylie Coleman - 19
Paityn Rau - 11
Peyton Kelderman - 6
Jayna Green - 5
Jillian Fleming - 4
Emma Atwood - 3
Evelyn Vazquez - 2
Kelsey Fields - 1
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 (158). Northwest ranks No. 1 in the league fewest three-point field goals made by the opposition (48).
    Among Div. II teams that have played at least five games, Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation in fewest 3-pointers attempted by its opponents.
    Northwest also ranks T-No. 13 in the nation in fewest three-pointers allowed by its opponents (48).
    Through eight MIAA games, Northwest's opponents have made 29-of-92 three-pointers (31.5%).

NCAA Div. II Fewest 3-Point Attempts Allowed
Rk.    School    3FG Att. Allowed
1.    Virginia Union    109 (8 games)
2.    Barton    123 (12 games)
3.    California (Pa.)    125 (10 games)
4.    Shorter    142 (10 games)
5.    Hawaii-Hilo    156 (9 games)
6.    Northwest Mo. St.    158 (16 games)
7.    Bowie State    160 (11 games)
8.    Livingstone    164 (13 games)
9.    Ashland    173 (14 games)
    Saint Rose    173 (9 games)
(minimum of five games played)

NOT A LOT OF TURNOVERS
Northwest ranks T-No. 6 in the nation (T-No. 2 in the MIAA) in fewest turnovers per game. The Bearcats are averaging 12.1 turnovers per game. Nebraska-Kearney is tops in the nation with 10.4 turnovers per game, while Fort Hays State is T-No. 6 at 12.1 turnovers per contest.

NCAA Div. II Fewest Turnovers Per Game
Rk.    School    TPG
1.     Nebraska-Kearney    10.4
2.    Hawaii-Hilo    11.7
3.    Cedarville    11.9
    Henderson State    11.9
5.    Ferris State    12.0
6.    Northwest Mo. St.    12.1
    Fort Hays State    12.1
8.    Minnesota-Duluth    12.1
9.    USciences    12.2
10.    Lewis    12.2

BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Northwest is 19-2 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), Missouri Southern (+18) and Fort Hays State (+2).

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 11.0 points per game. McConkey has upped her scoring to 11.7 points per game in MIAA play. McConkey has tallied nine double-figure scoring games this season.
    McConkey is third on the squad in rebounding (4.1 rpg). She is shooting 56.1% from the field on 69-of-123 field goals.
    Northwest is 8-1 when McConkey scores 10 points per or more. Northwest is 3-4 when McConkey is held below 10 points.
    
MILESTONE WATCH
Mallory McConkey is edging closer to 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. McConkey has posted 973 points and 538 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. 7 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (80.0%) as she has made 44-of-55 free throws.
    Hartnett ranks second on the Bearcats in scoring at 10.5 points per game. She has handed out a team-high 36 assists on the year.

KELDERMAN FINDS A GROOVE FROM 3
True freshman guard Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 16 games this season. Kelderman has sank at least two three-pointers in 11 of the 16 contests.
    She has drained a team-best 30 three-pointers and is shooting 34.5% from beyond the arc. She ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in most three-pointers made (30). She ranks tied for No. 4 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 six games, with a season-high 16 points in a 65-62 win vs. Winona State.

GREEN WORKING FOR BLOCKS
Sophomore Jayna Green ranks No. 8 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots chart. She registered 29 blocks as a freshman before notching 33 in 2020-21. Green has blocked 22 shots this season, which ranks third in the MIAA. Green leads the team in rebounding at 5.7 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. Jayna Green (2019-pres.)    84
9. Lori Schneider (1986-89)    83
10. Danae Wagner (1987-90)    58

VAZQUEZ MAKING PLAYS
Freshman Evelyn Vazquez has come off the bench in all 16 games and is averaging 18.7 minutes per game.
    Vazquez leads the Bearcats in steals (14). Vazquez has tallied at least one steal in each of the last seven games.
    She ranks third on the squad in assists (29). Vazquez has dished out 22 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.
    
PROTECTING BEARCAT ARENA
Northwest has produced a mark of 8-2 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
8-2 - 2021-22
7-8 - 2014-15

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.

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.

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.