Thursday, Dec. 1
Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 5 Missouri Southern
Joplin, Mo. | 5:30 p.m. | Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
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Saturday, Dec. 3
Northwest Missouri State vs. Pittsburg State
Pittsburg, Kan. | 1:30 p.m. | Lance Arena
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The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team (4-1 overall) hits the road to compete in its first MIAA action of the season. The team will first face off against No. 5 Missouri Southern (7-0 overall) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. followed by Pittsburg State (5-1 overall, 1-0 MIAA) Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
 
Northwest vs. Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern holds a 24-15 lead in the all-time series against Northwest. The Bearcats split with the Lions last season as Northwest beat them at home and then MSSU defeated Northwest in Joplin a month later. Northwest has won three of the last five matchups against MSSU.

The Lions are one of two teams to share last year's regular season MIAA conference championship. They return the 2021-22 MIAA Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in point guard Lacy Stokes.
 
Northwest vs. Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State has a 28-11 all-time record against Northwest. In last season's meeting at home against PSU, Northwest recorded its first win over the Gorillas dating back to December 7, 2011. Last season, the Bearcats defeated the Gorillas 66-62, and then a month later, Pitt defeated Northwest 66-62.
 
Assist to Turnover Ratio
Northwest is currently in first place in the MIAA and fourth place in Division II in assist to turnover ratio at 1.51. The Bearcats are averaging 14.8 assists per game and a conference-low 9.8 turnovers per game. The 9.8 turnovers per game ranks second in Division II only behind Northern State at 9.4 turnovers per game.
 
Green Closing in on Block Record
Jayna Green has worked her way up to the number two spot on Northwest's all-time career blocks list. Green sits just twelve blocks away from tying the record of 122 career blocks that was set by Sarah Vollertsen from 2002-04.
 
Blocked Shots in a Career
1. Sarah Vollertsen, 2002-04 - 122
2. Jayna Green, 2019-pres. - 110
3. Shelby Mustain, 2014-16 - 107
4. Maggie Marnin, 2011-15 - 100
5. Gentry Dietz, 2009-11 - 99
Kyla Roehrig, 2010-11 - 99
7. Jenna Wolfe, 2001-04 - 94
8. Tember Schechinger, 2013-16 - 85
9. Lori Schneider, 1986-89 - 83
10. Danae Wagner, 1987-90 - 58
 
Receiving Votes in the Central Region Poll
Northwest is receiving votes for the third straight week in the Division II Central Region Poll. The Bearcats have just one loss this season coming from No. 15 Minnesota State. In this week's poll, Northwest received a vote along with Northern State, Fort Hays State, Harding, Southwest Minnesota State, and East Central.
 
D2SIDA Central Region Poll
1. Missouri Southern (6) - 60 Pts
2. Minnesota State - 51 Pts
3. Augustana - 45 pts
4. Central Missouri - 43 pts
5. Nebraska Kearney - 38 pts
6. Winona State - 24 pts
7. Minnesota Duluth - 22 pts
8. Missouri Western - 21 pts
9. Northwestern Oklahoma State - 7 pts
10. Emporia State - 6 pts

Trio of Bearcats Hot from Beyond the Arc
Through five games this season, Peyton Kelderman has knocked down at least one three-pointer in every game. In two of the five matchups, she has drained four threes. Kelderman is shooting 44.8 percent from beyond the arc as she has connected on 13-of-29 attempts.
 
Northwest has two other players shooting at least 44 percent or better from three-point land this season. Lauren Gillig is shooting a team-best 46.7 percent making 7-of-15 attempts, and Jillian Fleming has knocked down 4-of-9 attempts at 44.4 percent.
 
Conference Wins Rising Under Meyer
Head Coach Austin Meyer took the helm of Northwest women's basketball in 2018 and has improved the conference win number every year since.
 
Northwest MIAA Wins
2018-19 – 4
2019-20 – 6
2020-21 – 7
2021-22 - 12