Jan. 27 - Bearcat Arena (Maryville, Mo.)
Lincoln at Northwest Missouri State, 5:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LISTEN LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

Jan. 29 - Bearcat Arena (Maryville, Mo.)
Central Missouri at Northwest Missouri State, 1:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LISTEN LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

NORTHWEST WOMEN RETURN TO BEARCAT ARENA TO BATTLE LINCOLN, CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat women's basketball team (13-5 overall, 8-4 MIAA) is set to defend its home floor in Bearcat Arena against the Lincoln Blue Tigers (5-13, 1-11 MIAA) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Central Missouri (14-6, 10-3 MIAA) Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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. LINCOLN
Northwest owns a commanding 41-10 lead in the all-time series with the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Northwest secured a 56-43 win at Lincoln in the earlier meeting this season in Jefferson City.
    Northwest head coach Austin Meyer is 4-3 against Lincoln since taking over the Bearcat program in 2018-19.

NORTHWEST VS. CENTRAL MISSOURI
Central Missouri holds a 74-26 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. The Jennies have won 12 straight and 17 of the last 18 in the series, including a 60-57 victory in Warrensburg on Dec. 13.
    Northwest's last win against UCM came Jan. 17, 2015, in Warrensburg, Mo., when the Bearcats tallied a 61-60 victory. Northwest's Taylor Shull sank a pair of free throws with :08 to prope the Bearcats to the one-point road win
    Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer is looking for his first win (0-7) against the Jennies.

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

NORTHWEST USES 13-2 RUN TO CLOSE OUT NEWMAN FOR ROAD WIN
Northwest posted a 54-42 road victory over the Newman Jets to run its win streak to two in a row. Northwest used a 13-2 run to end the game after the Jets had closed to within 41-40 in the fourth quarter.

'CATS END THREE-GAME SKID AT UCO
Northwest ended its three-game losing streak with a 79-69 victory at Central Oklahoma. The Bearcats used a 30-19 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter to defeat the Bronchos for the third straight time at Hamilton Field House on the UCO campus.

THREE IN DOUBLE FIGURES VS BRONCHOS
Molly Hartnett led three Bearcats in double-figure scoring with a season-high 22 points in a 79-69 wi at Central Oklahoma.
    For Hartnett it was her fourth 20-point scoring game of her Bearcat career.
    Paityn Rau added a season-best 16 points and Peyton Kelderman knocked in 14 points.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 44
Molly Hartnett - 25
Kylie Coleman - 19
Paityn Rau - 12
Peyton Kelderman - 7
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 - 4

HARTNETT DOING CHARITY WORK IN WIN
Redshirt freshman Molly Hartnett sank a career-high 15-of-18 free throws in the 10-point win at Central Oklahoma.
    Her 15 made free throws ranks as the fifth-best single-game total in Bearcat history.
    The 18 free throw attempts ties for the third-most in school history.

Free Throws Made (Single Game)
17, Jodi Giles vs. Nebraska (1981)
17, Abby Henry vs. SBU (01/14/12)
16, Amanda Winter vs. Truman (1/17/01)
16, Abby Henry vs. Emporia St. (1/22/11)
15, Molly Hartnett at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)

Free Throws Attempted (Single Game)
20, Abby Henry vs SBU (01/14/12) - 20
19, Amanda Winter vs. Truman (1/17/01)
18, Ariel Easton vs. Missouri Southern (01/22/14)
18, Molly Hartnett at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)

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.

SECOND-BEST MIAA SCORING DEFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 2 in the MIAA (No. 19 in the nation) in scoring defense by holding opponents to 54.9 points per game. Nebraska-Kearney leads the league in scoring defense at 54.3 points per contest.
    Northwest has held six opponents to fewer than 50 points, including a season-low of 29 to McKendree.

BEARCATS LIMITING FG PERCENTAGES
Through 12 league games, Northwest ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in field goal percentage defense (38.7%).
    On the entire season, the Bearcats rank No. 4 in the MIAA in field goal defense at 38.5%.

PERIMETER DEFENSE LOCKED IN
Northwest's defense ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in fewest three-point shots attempted (178). Northwest ranks No. 1 in the league fewest three-point field goals made by the opposition (53).
    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 (178).
    Northwest also ranks T-No. 12 in the nation in fewest three-pointers allowed by its opponents (53).
    Through 12 MIAA games, Northwest's opponents have made 36-of-118 three-pointers (30.5%).

NCAA Div. II Fewest 3-Point Attempts Allowed
Rk.    School    3FG Att. Allowed
1.    Virginia Union    140 (10 games)
2.    California (Pa.)    148 (11 games)
3.    Barton    152 (14 games)
4.    Shorter    164 (12 games)
5.    Hawaii-Hilo    177 (10 games)
6.    Northwest Mo. St.    178 (18 games)
7.    Livingstone    189 (15 games)
    Bowie State    189 (14 games)
9.    Fresno Pacific    190 (11 games)
10.    Mount Olive    191 (11 games)
(minimum of five games played)

NOT A LOT OF TURNOVERS
Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation (No. 3 in the MIAA) in fewest turnovers per game. The Bearcats are averaging 12.0 turnovers per game. Nebraska-Kearney is tops in the nation with 10.7 turnovers per game, while Fort Hays State is No. 3 at 11.7 turnovers per contest.

NCAA Div. II Fewest Turnovers Per Game
Rk.    School    TPG
1.     Nebraska-Kearney    10.7
2.    Ferris State    11.7
3.    Fort Hays State    11.7
4.    Lewis    11.9
5.    Cedarville    11.9
6.    Northwest Mo. St.    12.0
    Hawaii-Hilo    12.0
8.    Minnesota-Duluth    12.1
9.    Henderson State    12.2
10.    Hawaii Pacific    12.2

BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Northwest is 21-2 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), Fort Hays State (+2), at Central Oklahoma (+10) and at Newman (+2).

MCCONKEY MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN
Fifth-year senior Mallory McConkey finds a way to contribute in all areas on the floor.
    She ranks second on the team at 10.7 points per game. McConkey has tallied 10 double-figure scoring games this season.
    McConkey is fourth on the squad in rebounding (3.9 rpg). She is shooting 55.1% from the field on 75-of-136 field goals.
    Northwest is 9-1 when McConkey scores 10 points per or more. Northwest is 4-4 when McConkey is held below 10 points.
    
MILESTONE WATCH
Mallory McConkey is edging closer to 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. McConkey has posted 990 points and 543 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. 5 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (81.8%) as she has made 63-of-77 free throws.
    Hartnett ranks first on the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game. She has handed out a team-high 43 assists on the year.

KELDERMAN FINDS A GROOVE FROM 3
True freshman guard Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 18 games this season. Kelderman has sank at least two three-pointers in 12 of the 18 contests.
    She has drained a team-best 34 three-pointers and is shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. She ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in most three-pointers made (34). 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 seven 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 25 shots this season, which ranks third in the MIAA. Green leads the team in rebounding at 5.5 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. Jayna Green (2019-pres.)    87
8. Tember Schechinger (2013-16)    85
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 18 games and is averaging 18.3 minutes per game.
    Vazquez leads the Bearcats in steals (14).
    She ranks third on the squad in assists (32). Vazquez has dished out 25 of her assists in MIAA play.
    She is averaging 5.4 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.

HOT SHOOTING VS MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Northwest shot a season-best 59.0% from the field (23-of-39) in its 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    7

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.