Feb. 5 - MWSU Fieldhouse (St. Joseph, Mo.)
Northwest Missouri State at No. 22 Missouri Western, 5 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

NORTHWEST WOMEN LOOK TO SWEEP SEASON SERIES WITH MISSOURI WESTERN AGAIN
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat women's basketball team (14-6 overall, 9-5 MIAA) will travel to St. Joseph, Mo., Saturday to match up against the No. 22-ranked Missouri Western Griffons (17-3, 11-3 MIAA). Tip is set for 5 p.m. at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

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.

FIVE SINGLE-DIGIT MIAA SETBACKS
Northwest's five 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. and followed it up with a four-point victory (58-54) in Maryville on Jan. 29. 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.

NORTHWEST VS. MISSOURI WESTERN
Missouri Western holds a 42-32 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. Northwest tallied a 49-46 victory over Missouri Western in the first meeting between the two programs this season in Maryville. The Bearcats won both meetings last season to complete a sweep of the season series against the Griffons for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer is 3-4 vs. Missouri Western.

FIELDS STEPS UP IN LAST EIGHT GAMES
Freshman Kelsey Fields is averaging 6.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game over her last eight appearances. In the last eight games, Fields is shooting 70.0% (21-of-30) from the field.
    She has posted five double-figure rebound performances to go along with a pair of double-digit scoring efforts.
    Fields played a season-high 30 minutes against Central Missouri. She posted seven points and 11 rebounds against the Jennies.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE AGAIN FOR FIELDS
Freshman post Kelsey Fields secured her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Lincoln,
    Fields earned her first collegiate double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds at Washburn.

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

1,000-POINT MARK FOR MCCONKEY
Senior Mallory McConkey became the 28th Bearcat to reach 1,000 career points against the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Jan. 27.

1,000 POINTS, 500 REBOUNDS
Mallory McConkey is the 19th Bearcat women's basketball player to reach both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career.
    McConkey has tallied 1,015 points and 550 rebounds as a Bearcat.

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
19. Mallory McConkey (2017-pres.) - 1,015p/550r

MCCONKEY MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN
Fifth-year senior Mallory McConkey finds a way to contribute in all areas on the floor.
    She leads the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game. McConkey has tallied 12 double-figure scoring games this season.
    McConkey is third on the squad in rebounding (3.9 rpg). She is shooting 52.5% from the field on 83-of-158 field goals.
    Northwest is 10-2 when McConkey scores 10 points per or more. Northwest is 4-4 when McConkey is held below 10 points.

STAT TALK FOR HARTNETT
Molly Hartnett ranks No. 6 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (81.5%) as she has made 48-of-57 free throws.
    Hartnett ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game. She has handed out a team-high 45 assists on the year.

KELDERMAN FINDS A GROOVE FROM 3
True freshman guard Peyton Kelderman has made at least one three-pointer in all 20 games this season. Kelderman has sank at least two three-pointers in 14 of the 20 contests.
    She has drained a team-best 40 three-pointers and is shooting 34.8% from beyond the arc. She ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in most three-pointers made (40). She ranks tied for No. 4 in the league in three-pointers made per game (2.0).
    Kelderman ranks third on the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game. She has reached double-figure scoring in nine 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 30 shots this season, which ranks third in the MIAA. Green ranks second on 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.)    92
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 20 games and is averaging 18.3 minutes per game.
    Vazquez leads the Bearcats in steals (18).
    She ranks third on the squad in assists (35). Vazquez has dished out 28 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.

TWO IN DOUBLE FIGURES VS JENNIES
Peyton Kelderman (11) and Mallory McConkey (10) were the only two Bearcats to reach double-figure scoring in a 58-54 loss to Central Missouri.
    McConkey has recorded a team-best 46 double-figure scoring games in her career.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 46
Molly Hartnett - 25
Kylie Coleman - 19
Paityn Rau - 12
Peyton Kelderman - 9
Jayna Green - 5
Jillian Fleming - 4
Emma Atwood - 3
Evelyn Vazquez - 2
Kelsey Fields - 2
Caely Kesten - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Mallory McConkey - 6
Molly Hartnett - 4

BEARCATS POSSESS THE BEST SCORING /
DEFENSE IN THE MIAA
The Bearcats rank No. 1 in the MIAA (No. 15 in the nation) in scoring defense by holding opponents to 54.7 points per game. Nebraska-Kearney is second in the league in scoring defense at 55.0 points per contest.
    Northwest has held seven opponents to fewer than 50 points, including a season-low of 29 to McKendree.

BEARCATS LIMITING FG PERCENTAGES
Through 14 league games, Northwest ranks No. 4 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 (198). Northwest ranks No. 1 in the league fewest three-point field goals made by the opposition (58).
    Among Div. II teams that have played at least five games, Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation in fewest 3-pointers attempted by its opponents (198).
    Northwest also ranks T-No. 7 in the nation in fewest three-pointers allowed by its opponents (58).
    Through 14 MIAA games, Northwest's opponents have made 41-of-138 three-pointers (29.7%).

NCAA Div. II Fewest 3-Point Attempts Allowed
Rk.    School    3FG Att. Allowed
1.    Shorter    164 (12 games)
2.    Virginia Union    182 (14 games)
3.    Mount Olive    191 (11 games)
4.    Northwest Mo. St.    198 (20 games)
5.    Fresno Pacific    204 (12 games)
6.    Barton    206 (17 games)
    Livingstone    206 (17 games)
8.    California (Pa.)    207 (15 games)
9.    Western Washington    212 (13 games)
10.    Stonehill    212 (12 games)
(minimum of five games played)

NCAA Div. II Fewest 3-Point Makes Allowed
Rk.    School    3FG Makes Allowed
1.    Western Washington    44 (13 games)
2.     Mount Olive    48 (11 games)
3.    Barton    50 (17 games)
4.    Miles    54 (17 games)
5.    Virginia Union    56 (14 games)
6.    Northwest Mo. St.    58 (20 games)
     Savannah State    58 (17 games)
    Augusta    58 (17 games)
9.    Western New Mexico    59 (14 games)
10.    Fresno Pacific    59 (12 games)
(minimum of five games played)

NOT A LOT OF TURNOVERS
Northwest ranks No. 9 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 10.8 turnovers per game, while Fort Hays State is No. 3 at 11.4 turnovers per contest.

NCAA Div. II Fewest Turnovers Per Game
Rk.    School    TPG
1.     Nebraska-Kearney    10.8
2.    Cedarville    11.4
3.    Fort Hays State    11.4
4.    Lewis    11.6
5.    Ferris State    11.7
6.    Lubbock Christian    12.1
7.    Northwest Mo. St.    12.1
8.    Hawaii Pacific    12.1
9.    Minnesota-Duluth    12.2
10.    Missouri-St. Louis    12.3

BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Northwest is 22-2 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), at Newman (+2) and Lincoln (+10).

PROTECTING BEARCAT ARENA
Northwest has produced a mark of 9-3 in Bearcat Arena this season. The nine home wins are the most victories in Bearcat Arena since Northwest went 10-4 at home in the 2012-13 season.

Most Home Wins Since 2010-11
15-0 - 2010-11
10-4 - 2012-13
9-3 - 2021-22
8-8 - 2013-14
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.

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)

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
2010-11    18
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    9

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.