Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7:30 p.m. (CT) | Health & Sports Center | Kearney, Neb.
No. 7 Northwest Missouri State at Nebraska-Kearney
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Saturday, Jan. 28 | 4 p.m. (CT) | Gross Auditorium | Hays, Kan.
No. 7 Northwest Missouri State at Fort Hays State
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Bearcat Radio Network
John Coffey - Play-by-Play
Matt Tritten - Analyst

BEARCATS TRAVERSE TO UNK, FHSU FOR WEEK'S ACTION
The No. 7-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (17-2 overall, 10-2 MIAA) will be on the road this week with matchups at Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State.
    Northwest will travel to Kearney, Neb., to take on the UNK Lopers (3-15 overall, 1-11 MIAA) Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
    The Bearcats will then make their way to Hays, Kan., for a Saturday 4 p.m. tilt with the FHSU Tigers (13-6 overall, 8-5 MIAA).

ALL-TIME VS. UNK LOPERS
Northwest holds a 13-1 lead in the all-time series with the Lopers. Northwest has won seven consecutive games in the series, including an 84-74 win on Dec. 10 in Bearcat Arena.
    UNK's only win in the series came Jan. 18, 2018, in Kearney, Neb. when the Lopers posted a 66-59 victory over the then No. 2-ranked Bearcats.

ALL-TIME VS. FHSU TIGERS
Northwest owns a 21-10 lead in the all-time series with Fort Hays State.
    Northwest has won 14 straight games in the series, which includes a 64-49 victory on Dec. 11 in Bearcat Arena.
    Head coach Ben McCollum is 16-6 vs. Fort Hays State.

'CATS STINGY APPROACH
When the Bearcats hold an opponent to 59 points or less, head coach Ben McCollum has guided Northwest to a mark of 159-5 in his 14-year career.
    The Bearcats have limited 10 opponents to 59 points or less this season.
    
DEFENSIVE LOCKDOWN
Northwest held Lincoln to 38 points in a 59-38 victory over the Blue Tigers. The 38 points is the second-fewest point total allowed in the Ben McCollum coaching era at Northwest.

Fewest Points Allowed in Ben McCollum Era
37 vs. Central Missouri (1/30/21)
38 vs. Lincoln (1/21/23)
40 vs. Saint Mary (11/14/20)
41 vs. Graceland (11/18/10)
41 vs. Lindenwood (2/7/19)
42 vs. Minn. Crookston (11/12/22)
43 vs. Waldorf (11/15/11)
43 vs. Emporia State (2/8/17)
43 vs. Simpson (12/30/17)
43 vs. Lincoln (2/1/18)
43 vs. Tabor (11/23/18)
43 vs. Bentley (3/22/22)
    
BERNARD EARNS 2ND MIAA PLAYER OF WEEK HONOR
Senior guard Diego Bernard earned his second MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week.
    Bernard put up back-to-back 20-point performances and shot 61.9% from the field in leading Northwest to a pair of home MIAA victories. Bernard averaged 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.5 assists in victories over Central Missouri and Lincoln.
    Bernard went 7-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 at the line as he scored 20 points vs. the Mules. Bernard notched seven rebounds, two assists and a steal on Thursday night.
    He posted a 6-of-11 shooting effort on Saturday, including a 3-of-5 performance beyond the three-point arc against the Blue Tigers. Bernard sank all six of his free throw attempts on Saturday. Bernard grabbed six rebounds, four steals and handed our three assists vs. Lincoln.
    Bernard has captured the award twice (Jan. 23, Dec. 12) and Bennett Stirtz once (Nov. 14).
BERNARD IS THE 'CATS SENIOR LEADER
Senior guard Diego Bernard is tops on the team in scoring (16.8 ppg), rebounding (5.3), assists (64 total), field goals made (109) and free throws made (74).
    In his last 10 games, Bernard is averaging 18.4 points per game. Over his last 10 games, Bernard is shooting 65.3% from the floor (62-of-95 FGs). He has also drained 83.6% of his free throws in that stretch (51-of-61 FTs).

TOP TWO SHOOTERS IN MIAA
Northwest possesses the top two ranked field goal percentage shooters in the MIAA.
    Diego Bernard leads the league at 60.6% from the field. Benett Stirtz ranks No. 2 in the MIAA by draining 60.3% of his field goals.

DB SHOWS THAT HEIGHT DOESN'T MATTER
There are 88 Div. I, Div. II and Div. III players shooting 60.0% or better this season, but only one of them is shorter than 6'2" - Diego Bernard.
    Bernard checks in at 6'0" and is shooting 60.6% from the field.

DIEGO HAS THREE STRAIGHT 20-POINT GAMES
Senior guard Diego Bernard has scored 20 points or more in three consecutive games.
    Bernard went for 23 against Newman, 20 against Central Missouri and 20 vs. Lincoln.
    Bernard has tallied 19 career 20-point contests.              

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Diego Bernard - 110
Luke Waters - 53
Wes Dreamer - 51
Daniel Abreu - 17
Bennett Stirtz - 14
Mitch Mascari - 10
Byron Alexander - 9
Isaiah Jackson - 7
Luke Moustakas - 3

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Diego Bernard - 19
Wes Dreamer - 11
Luke Waters - 3
Daniel Abreu - 1
Isaiah Jackson - 1
Mitch Mascari - 1
Bennett Stirtz - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Wes Dreamer - 1

BEARCATS CAN SCORE TOO, IT'S NOT JUST D
While Northwest gets plenty of credit for its defense, the Bearcat offense is pretty top notch as well. Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in scoring offense (77.3 ppg/1,468 points). Central Oklahoma is the top scoring team in the MIAA at 78.8 ppg/1,498 points.
    In MIAA games only, Northwest is the top scoring team at 72.9 points per game. Rogers State is second in MIAA games only at 72.5 points per game.

BENNETT IS ONLY A FRESHMAN
Bearcat freshman guard Bennett Stirtz is off to a tremendous start to his collegiate career.
    Stirtz leads the MIAA in steals (38). He ranks second in the MIAA in field goal percentage (60.3%) and in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.21).
    Stirtz is tied for No. 17 in the nation in total steals (38).     
    He is averaging 13.0 points per game while leading the Bearcats in minutes played (32.6). He ranks No. 11 in the MIAA in minutes played.
    Stirtz ranks No. 6 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (83.9%). Stirtz has knocked in 53-of-65 at the charity stripe.
    He has also drained 24-of-53 from three-point range (45.3%). He has made at least one three-pointer in 15 of 19 games played.

BERNARD, STIRTZ NAMED TO BEVO FRANCIS TOP 100 WATCH LIST
Small College Basketball and the National Awards Committee is proud to announce the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List for the 2022-23 season.
    The Top 100 Watch List consists of some of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.
    Northwest Missouri State University has two players on the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List in senior Diego Bernard and freshman Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz is the only freshman on the initial list.
DREAMER BREAKS OUT
Junior Wes Dreamer broke out with a 21-point scoring performance to lead the Bearcats to a 73-52 win over Central Missouri.
    Dreamer had tallied five total points over his last two games going into the contest vs. the Mules.
    He went 6-of-14 from the field and buried four three-pointers in the home victory.

PILING UP WINS
As of Jan. 22, Northwest's 17 wins this season are tied for the seventh-most victories in the nation among NCAA Division II teams.
    UNC Pembroke and Lincoln Memorial are tied for the nation's lead in wins (19).
    Point Loma, Colorado School of Mines, Central Oklahoma and Nova Southeastern are tied for third with 18 victories.
    Northwest is joined at 17 wins by St. Thomas Aquinas, MSU Moorhead, Hillsdale and Indiana, Pa.

NORTHWEST RANKS NO. 3 IN THE COUNTRY IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Northwest has made 515-of-971 field goals to rank No. 3 in the nation among NCAA Div. II teams.
    Northwest has shot 50.0% or better in 13 of its 19 games.
    The Bearcats have hit on 60.0% or better in four of its six contests this season.
    Northwest hit on 63.3% of its field goals against Missouri Western. Northwest buried 60.7% of its shots against Morningside, drained 66.7% of its field goals against Truman State and 69.8% of its shots vs. West Texas A&M.

NCAA Div. II Field Goal Percentage
1.    Lincoln Memorial        53.3%
2.    Seattle Pacific        53.2%
3.    Northwest Mo. St.        53.0%
4.    Nova Southeastern        52.8%
5.    Ferris St.        52.2%
6.    Saint Leo        51.6%
7.    Missouri-St. Louis        51.4%
8.    North Georgia        50.9%
9.    Pittsburgh-Johnstown    50.8%
10.    Bentley        50.7%

THE POINT IS TO OUTSCORE
Northwest ranks No. 8 in the nation in scoring margin +17.6 through Jan. 22.
    In all 10 of Northwest's MIAA wins this season, the Bearcats have won by double digits. Northwest is the only MIAA school to have won every one of their league games by 10 points or more.
    Northwest leads the MIAA in scoring margin conference games only at +14.0 per game. UCO is second in the league in scoring margin at +10.0 per game in MIAA play.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Margin
1.    Nova Southeastern        +29.8
2.    Lincoln Memorial        +21.9
3.    East Stroudsburg        +19.8
4.    Indiana, Pa.        +19.5
5.    Ferris St.        +19.2
6.    Central Oklahoma        +18.7
7.    Mercyhurst        +18.3
8.    Northwest Mo. St.        +18.0
9.    UIndy        +17.8
10.    Colorado School of Mines    +17.6

BEARCATS RANK 4TH IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest has continued its defensive approach in the 2022-23 season. Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 59.3 points per game.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Defense
1.    Southern Nazarene        57.8
2.    Fort Hays St.        58.1
3.    Indiana, Pa.        59.2
4.    Northwest Mo. St.        59.3
5.    Mercyhurst        59.4
6.    Miles            59.5
7.    Central Oklahoma        60.1
8.    Hillsdale        60.2
9.    Tuskegee        60.2
10.    Walsh        61.0

NORTHWEST ALLOWS FEWEST REBOUNDS
The Bearcats allow the fewest rebounds per game (25.2) in the country.
NCAA Div. II Fewest Rebounds Allowed Per Game
1.    Northwest Mo. St.        25.2
2.    Southern Nazarene        26.8
3.    Colorado Mesa        27.1
4.    Southwest Baptist        27.6
5.    Texas A&M-International    28.2
6.    Bentley        28.6
7.    West Alabama        28.7
8.    Arkansas-Monticello        29.1
9.    Lubbock Christian        29.3
10.    Winston-Salem        29.4

WINNING NUMBERS
Northwest has posted a spectacular mark of 148-10 over the past five seasons and has won all three of the national championships that have been contested.

LIMITED Ls IN SEVEN YEARS
Northwest has suffered only 15 losses in the last seven seasons. The Bearcats have compiled a record of 210-15 over the last seven years.

35-1 - 2016-17
27-4 - 2017-18
38-0 - 2018-19
31-1 - 2019-20
28-2 - 2020-21
34-5 - 2021-22
17-2 - 2022-23

LIMITED DOUBLE-FIGURE LOSSES IN LAST SIX YEARS
Northwest has lost by double digits only six times (20  since the start of the 2015-16 season.
    The 19-point margin at Emporia State on Feb. 8, 2022, is Northwest's largest losing margin since a 22-point loss at Southwest Minnesota State (72-50) on Nov. 10, 2013.

Northwest Losses (Margin) Since (2015-16)
11 - 69-58 at Central Oklahoma (1/12/23)
9 - 74-65 at Emporia State (12/17/22)
1 - 76-75 vs. Emporia State (2/21/22)
1 - 60-59 vs. Washburn (2/19/22)
19 - 75-56 at Emporia State (2/8/22)
1 - 76-75 OT at Central Okla. (1/20/22)
6 - 83-77 vs. Sioux Falls (11/13/21)
1 - 69-68 vs. Washburn (3/6/21)
2 - 84-82 OT vs. Washburn (1/7/21)
12 - 72-60 at Central Missouri (12/7/19)
10 - 60-50 vs. Minnesota State (3/10/18)
3 - 73-70 vs. Missouri Southern (2/17/18)
7 - 66-59 at Neb.-Kearney (1/18/18)
6 - 83-77 at Missouri Southern (1/4/18)
17 - 88-71 at Missouri Southern (2/18/17)
2 - 80-78 at Augustana (3/15/16)
7 - 70-63 at Emporia State (1/13/16)
16 - 68-52 at Lindenwood (12/20/15)
5 - 79-74 at Lincoln (12/18/15)
4 - 76-72 vs. Upper Iowa (11/13/15)

MCCOLLUM RARELY ENDURES DOUBLE-FIGURE SETBACKS
In 14 seasons as the Bearcat head coach, Ben McCollum has suffered only 30 double-figure point losses. He has posted a career mark of 351-85.
    In MIAA play, McCollum led teams have only dropped 26 games by 10 points or more since the start of the 2009-10 season.
    Over the last nine seasons in MIAA play, Northwest has dropped six games by a final margin of 10 points or more.
    In the last nine seasons, Northwest has not lost more than one 10-point game in a single season.
    Of the 30 double-figure losses in McCollum's career, only three of them have come by 20 or more points.

PLAYING WITH THE LEAD
In Northwest's 17 wins this season, the Bearcats have only trailed once in the second half.
    Fort Hays State held a one-point lead with 14:41 to play in the game before Northwest came back to score a 64-49 win.

NINE IS THE LARGEST COMEBACK THIS YEAR
Northwest overcame a nine-point first-half deficit against Central Missouri to mark its largest comeback of the season.
    Central Missouri held an 18-9 lead over Northwest with 7:00 to play in the first half.

'CATS, MCCOLLUM ROLLING IN BIG WINS
Under head coach Ben McCollum the Bearcats are 141-3 in games decided by 20 points or more.
    Northwest has won 140 consecutive games when the final scoring margin is 20 or more points. The last time the Bearcats lost a game by 20 points or more came Jan. 20, 2010, when Missouri Southern posted an 88-63 win in Joplin, Mo.

90-PLUS = SUCCESS
Northwest has posted a mark of 60-0 when scoring 90 or more points with head coach Ben McCollum.
    Northwest has reached 92 points against Truman State and 93 against Clarke so far this season.

EIGHT IN THE ROTATION ARE MAJOR PLUSES
All eight of Northwest's players that see the majority of the minutes are on the high side of the plus/minus.

Name            +/-    +/- (Per 40)
Wes Dreamer        +253    +21.61
Diego Bernard        +274    +20.80
Bennett Stirtz        +273    +20.62
Mitch Mascari        +209    +19.61
Luke Waters        +246    +18.95
Isaiah Jackson        +200    +18.73
Byron Alexander    +118    +16.61
Daniel Abreu        +151    +15.49
NORTHWEST OWNS NATION'S 2ND BEST OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY ACCORDING TO SYNERGY
The Bearcat men's basketball squad ranks No. 2 in the nation among NCAA Division II schools in points per offensive possession (1.084) according to Synergy Sports Technology.

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. II)
1.    Seattle Pacific    1.092
2.    Northwest Mo. St.    1.084
3.    Lincoln Memorial    1.081
4.    Ferris St.    1.051
5.    Nova Southeastern    1.046
6.    Missouri-St. Louis    1.045
7.    Bentley    1.038
8.    Northern St.    1.037
9.    Northern Michigan    1.035
10.    Fort Lewis    1.034

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. I)
1.    Oral Roberts    1.036
2.    Gonzaga    1.035
3.    Cornell    1.033
4.    Penn St.    1.029
    Colgate    1.029
    Furman    1.029
7.    Marquette    1.028
8.    Youngstown St.    1.026
9.    Liberty    1.025
10.    Utah St.    1.024

FIFTH-BEST EFFECTIVE FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE IN THE NATION
Northwest possesses the nation's fifth-ranked effective field goal percentage at 60.2% courtesy of Synergy Sports Technology.

Effective Field Goal Percentage (All NCAA Divisions)
1.    Seattle Pacific    61.9%
2.    Dordt    61.7%
3.    Lincoln Memorial    61.6%
4.    Mayville St.    60.3%
5.    Northwest Mo. St.    60.2%
6.    Jamestown    59.8%
7.    Peru St.    59.6%
8.    Missouri-St. Louis    59.3%
    Ferris St.    59.3%
10.    New York Univ.    59.0%

MITCH IS MAKING TREYS AT A HIGH CLIP
Sophomore Mitch Mascari leads the Bearcats in three-pointers made (38) and in three-point field goal percentage (49.4%). He would rank No. 7 in the nation if he had enough makes to qualify for the NCAA stats (min. of 2.5 made three-pointers per game).

BERNARD RANKS NO. 4 ON BEARCAT ALL-TIME SCORING CHART; NO. 10 ON MIAA LIST
Senior Diego Bernard ranks No. 4 on Northwest's all-time scoring chart with 1,970 points. Bernard trails only Trevor Hudgins (2,829), Justin Pitts (2,459) and Ryan Hawkins (2,098) on Northwest's scoring chart.
    Bernard is also climbing the MIAA's all-time scoring chart. Bernard ranks No. 10 all-time among MIAA scoring leaders. He is looking to become only the eighth MIAA player to reach 2,000 career points.

MIAA's All-Time Scoring List
1.    Trevor Hudgins, NWMSU (2018-22)        2,829 pts
2.    Bill Fennelly, UCM (1977-81)                2,819 pts
3.    Harold Robertson, LU (1974-78)        2,551 pts
4.    Ron Nunnelly, UCM (1981-85)                2,468 pts
5.     Justin Pitts, NWMSU (2014-18)            2,459 pts
6.    Ryan Hawkins, NWMSU (2017-21)        2,098 pts
7.    Cam Martin, MSSU (2018-21)                2,040 pts
8.    Jason Adams, MSSU (2008-12)        1,981 pts
9.    Daryel Garrison, SMSU (1971-75)        1,975 pts
10.    Diego Bernard, NWMSU (2018-pres.)    1,970 pts

DREAMER, WATERS JOIN 1,000-POINT CLUB
Junior Wes Dreamer and Luke Waters have both become members of Northwest's 1,000-point scoring club this season.
    Waters became the 27th Bearcat to reach 1,000 career points with a 19-point effort in an 84-74 win over Nebraska-Kearney.
    Dreamer was the 28th Bearcat to surpass the 1,000-point mark when he tallied 16 points in a 93-57 victory over Clarke on Dec. 28.

Northwest's 1,000 Point Scorers
1.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)        2,829 pts
2.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)            2,459 pts
3.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)        2,098 pts
4.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        1,970 pts
5.    Victor Coleman (1980-84)        1,795 pts
6.    David Alvey (1973-77)            1,747 pts
7.    Scott Fleming (1999-2003)        1,727 pts
8.     DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        1,702 pts
9.    Kelvin Parker (2000-04)        1,692 pts
10.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)        1,592 pts
11.    Joe Hurst (1982-86)            1,580 pts
12.    Conner Crooker (2012-16)        1,352 pts
13.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)        1,294 pts
14.    Ellijah Allen (2008-11)            1,289 pts
15.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)        1,282 pts
    Russ Miller (1976-80)            1,282 pts
17. Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)        1,203 pts
18. Matt Redd (1996-99)            1,200 pts
19. Gerald Harris (1984-88)        1,198 pts
20. Don Sears (1966-70)            1,154 pts
21. Dillon Starzl (2011-14)        1,153 pts
22. Joey Witthus (2017-19)        1,150 pts
23. Glenn Phillips (1985-87)        1,147 pts
24. Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-18)        1,134 pts
25. Luke Waters (2019-pr.)        1,092 pts
26. Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)        1,087 pts
26. Bob Sundell (1986-89)        1,082 pts
28. Rick Jolley (1993-96)            1,054 pts

BERNARD HAS PLAYED, STARTED & WON MORE GAMES THAN ANY OTHER BEARCAT
Diego Bernard has played, started and won more games than any other Bearcats in program history. He ranks second in games played among NCAA active leaders (all NCAA divisions).
    Bernard has played in 154 games. Bernard has won 148 games in his career.
    He has started 142 games allowing him to surpass Trevor Hudgins's previous school record of 139 career starts.

Games Played (All NCAA Divisions)
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 154
Victor Bailey Jr. (George Mason) - 154
Darius McGhee (Liberty) - 153
Garrett Sturtz (Drake) - 153
Connor McCaffery (Iowa) - 152
Angelo Allegri (Eastern Washington) - 152
Andrew Platek (Siena) - 152
Reggie Chaney (Houston) - 151
Damien Daniels (Abilene Christian) - 150

BERNARD IN A CLASS ALL BY HIMSELF AT NW
Senior guard Diego Bernard is in a class all by himself in the Bearcat men's basketball history.
    Bernard is the only Northwest player to have accumulated 1,200 points, 600 rebounds and 300 assists in his career.
    Victor Coleman nearly became the first Bearcat in that class when he played at Northwest from 1981-84. Coleman posted 1,795 points, 586 rebounds and 467 assists.
    Bernard is the only active MIAA player to have at least 1,900 points, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 100 made three-pointers.
    Bernard has tallied 1,970 points, 892 rebounds, 468 assists and 143 made three-pointers.

BERNARD IN ELITE NCAA COMPANY
Bearcat senior guard Diego Bernard is one of 10 active NCAA men's basketball players and one of three Div. II players with at least 1,900 points and 800 rebounds.

1,900 Points & 800 Rebounds (Active NCAA MBB)
Dalton Bolon (Coll. of Charleston) - 2,565 pts/925 rbs
Jayden Gardner (Virginia) - 2,180 pts/1,012 rbs
Cam Martin (Kansas) - 2,162 pts/878 rbs
JT Shumate (Toledo) - 2,142 pts/813 rbs
Joel Scott (Black Hills St.) - 2,034 pts/830 rbs
KJ Williams (LSU) - 2,005 pts/1,023 rbs
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,970 pts/892 rbs
Jordan Janssen (Wayne St.) - 1,965 pts/1,093 rbs
Kevin Obanor (Texas Tech) - 1,956 pts/1,008 rbs
Timmy Allen (Texas) - 1,930 pts/851 rbs

Bernard is one of 13 active NCAA men's basketball players (and the only Div. II player) with at least 1,900 points and 400 assists.

1,900 Points & 400 Assists (Active NCAA MBB)
Antoine Davis (Detroit Mercy) - 3,274 pts/538 ast
Joel Murray (Long Beach St.) - 2,418 pts/533 ast
Taevion Kinsey (Marshall) - 2,380 pts/498 ast
Sam Sessoms (Coppin St.) - 2,160 pts/496 ast
Marcus Carr (Texas) - 2,078 pts/674 ast
JR Clay (Tennessee St.) - 2,021 pts/538 ast
Kendric Davis (Memphis) - 1,971 pts/635 ast
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,970 pts/468 ast
Demetre Roberts (Farleigh Dickinson) - 1,961 pts/498 ast
Jarred Godfrey (Purdue-Fort Wayne) - 1,936 pts/444 ast
Darius Quisenberry (Fordham) - 1,930 pts/416 ast
Hunter Maldonado (Wyoming) - 1,928 pts/571 ast
Tyree Appleby (Wake Forest) - 1,909 pts/624 ast

DB RANKS AMONG ACTIVE D-II LEADERS IN SCORING, REBOUNDING, ASSISTS & STEALS
Senior Diego Bernard ranks No. 3 among NCAA Div. II players in scoring with 1,970 points. Only Fairmont State's Isaiah Sanders (2,205 points) and Black Hills State's Joel Scott (2,034 points) have tallied more career points.
    Bernard ranks No. 2 among NCAA Div. II players in rebounding with 892 career boards. Wayne State's Jordan Janssen had tallied 1,093 career rebounds.
    Bernard has tallied 468 career assists to rank No. 3 behind Augusta's Tyree Myers (601) and Mount Olive's Michael Brown (530).
    Bernard has accumulated the second-most career steals among NCAA Div. II active players with 237. Valdosta State's Cam Hamilton tops the chart with 238 career thefts.

ACTIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES LIST
Senior Diego Bernard has collected 13 career double-doubles. Junior Wes Dreamer has garnered eight career double-doubles. Sophomore Byron Alexander owns one double-double.

Career Double-Doubles
Diego Bernard - 13
Wes Dreamer - 8
Byron Alexander - 1

DB RANKS NO. 6 IN CAREER ASSISTS AT NW
Senior guard Diego Bernard ranks No. 6 in career assists with 468.

Northwest Assists in a Career
1.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)    700
2.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)        575
3.     Kelvin Parker (2001-04)    492
4.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    489
5.    Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    468
6.    Victor Coleman (1981-84)    467
7.    Mark Yager (1979-82)        449
8.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)    435
9.    Matt Wallace (2011-15)    410
10. Alan Bubalo (1973-76)    251

DB CLIMBING NORTHWEST'S CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE LIST
Senior guard Diego Bernard ranks No. 5 in Bearcat history with 701 made field goals.

Northwest Field Goals in a Career
1. Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)        946
2. Justin Pitts (2014-18)            887
3. Victor Coleman (1981-84)        793
4. Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)        743
5. Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        701
6. David Alvey (1974-77)            644
7. Joe Hurst (1983-86)            635
8. Hunter Henry (2006-09)        589
9. Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        571
10. DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        546

DB NO. 5 IN MADE FREE THROWS
Senior guard Diego Bernard has drained 425 free throws to rank No. 5 in Bearcat history at the charity stripe.

Northwest Free Throws Made in a Career
1.     Scott Fleming (2000-03)        628
2.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)        502
3.    David Alvey (1974-77)            459
4.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        440
5.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        425
6.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)            414
7.    Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        402
8.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)        353
9.    Elijah Allen (2007-11)            319
10.    Joe Hurst (1983-86)            310

BERNARD, DREAMER ARE MEMBERS OF 1,000-POINT, 500-REBOUND CLUB AT NW
Senior Diego Bernard and junior Wes Dreamer are among 15 Bearcats to have secured at least 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds at Northwest.

Northwest's 1,000 Pts & 500 Rbs
Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)    2,098 pts/948 rbs
Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    1,970 pts/892 rbs
Victor Coleman (1980-84)    1,759 pts/586 rbs
David Alvey (1973-77)    1,747 pts/677 rbs
Hunter Henry (2006-09)    1,592 pts/808 rbs
Joe Hurst (1982-86)    1,580 pts/777 rbs
Russ Miller (1976-80)    1,282 pts/837 rbs
Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)    1,203 pts/519 rbs
Matt Redd (1996-99)    1,200 pts/571 rbs
Don Sears (1966-70)    1,154 pts/874 rbs
Dillon Starzl (2011-14)    1,153 pts/518 rbs
Chris Ebou Ndow (2015-18)    1,134 pts/654 rbs
Bob Sundell (1986-89)    1,082 pts/574 rbs
Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    1,087 pts/541 rbs
Rick Jolley (1993-96)    1,054 pts/574 rbs

BERNARD CLIMBING BEARCAT REBOUND LIST
Diego Bernard ranks No. 2 Northwest's all-time rebounds list with 886. Bernard is one of five Bearcats to reach 800 or more career rebounds.
    Bernard needs 38 more rebounds to equal the school record of 930 career rebounds set by Ryan Hawkins.
Northwest's Rebounds in a Career
1.     Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)            930
2.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        892
3.     Don Sears (1966-1970)            874
4.     Russ Miller (1976-1980)            837
5.     Hunter Henry (2006-2009)            808
6.     Joe Hurst (1983-1986)            777
7.     David Alvey (1973-1977)            677
8.     Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-2018)    654
9.     Victor Coleman (1981-1984)            586
10.     Rick Jolley (1993-1996)            574
        Mark Adams (1976-1980)            574
        Bob Sundell (1986-1989)            574

BERNARD CLIMBING STEALS LIST
Diego Bernard ranks No. 2 on Northwest's all-time steals list with 233. Bernard tallied 75 steals last season, which ranked as the fifth-best single-season total in Bearcat history.

Northwest's Steals in a Career
1.     Scott Fleming (2000-03)            305
2.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        233
3.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)            225
4.    Kelvin Parker (2001-04)            209
5.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)            194
6.    Mark Yager (1979-82)            188
7.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)            186
8.    Victor Coleman (1981-84)            174
9.    Matt Wallace (2011-15)            158
10.    Gerald Harris (1986-88)            153

DREAMER AMONG TOP-10 3-POINT SHOOTERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Junior Wes Dreamer has knocked in 210 career three-pointers to rank No. 7 in school history.

Northwest 3-Pointers Made in a Career
1.     Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)    435
2.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)    370
3.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)    285
4.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        271
5.    Ryan Welty (2016-20)        238
6.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)    215
7.    Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    210
8.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)    205
9.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)    173
10.    Joey Witthus (2017-19)    172

MCCOLLUM MOVES CAREER MARK TO 351-85
In 14 seasons at the helm of the Bearcat program, head coach Ben McCollum has led Northwest to a record of 351-85.
    His winning percentage of .805 ranks No. 3 among NCAA Division II coaches and No. 6 among all NCAA Division coaches (minimum of 10 years experience).

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 3 IN WIN PERCENTAGE
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 3 among active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach.
    McCollum ranks No. 4 among all NCAA basketball head coaches (minimum of 10 years) in win percentage.
    He also ranks No. 8 all-time among all NCAA men's basketball coaches with at least 10 years head coaching experience.

NCAA Div. II Active Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .853 (477-82, 18 yrs.)
2. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .823 (265-57, 11 yrs.)
3. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .805 (351-85, 14 yrs.)
4. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .784 (385-106, 17 yrs.)
5. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .755 (426-138, 20 yrs.)
6. Charlie Ernst (Findlay)    .743 (255-88, 12 yrs.)
7. Andy Bronkema (Ferris St.)    .721 (217-84, 10 yrs.)
8. Ken Ammann (Concordia, Calif.)    .718 (503-198, 22 yrs.)
9. Burt Paddock (Davenport)    .710 (333-136, 15 yrs.)
10. Dave Holmquist (Biola)    .709 (1,035-424, 46 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

NCAA All Divisions Active Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .853 (477-82, 17 yrs.)
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .833 (674-133, 24 yrs.)
3. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .823 (265-57, 11 yrs.)
4. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .805 (351-85, 14 yrs.)
5. Josh Schertz (Indiana State)    .788 (361-97, 15 yrs.)
6. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .784 (385-106, 17 yrs.)
7. Bill Self (Kansas)    .770 (779-232, 30 yrs.)
8. John Krikorian (Chris. Newport)    .762 (342-107), 16 yrs.)
9. John Calipari (Kentucky)    .761 (781-245, 31 yrs.)
10. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .755 (426-138, 20 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

NCAA All Divisions All-Time Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern)    .853 (477-82, 18 yrs.)*
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .835 (674-133, 24 yrs.)*
3. Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn)    .824 (412-88, 21 yrs.)
4. Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma)    .823 (265-57, 11 yrs.)*
5. Adolph Rupp (Kentucky)    .822 (876-190, 41 yrs.)
6. Bucky Harris (Jefferson)    .811 (240-56, 13 yrs.)
7. Dolph Stanley (Beloit)    .810 (238-56, 12 yrs.)
8. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .805 (351-85, 14 yrs.)*
9. John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA)    .804 (664-162, 29 yrs.)
10. John Kresse (Coll. of Charleston)    .797 (560-143, 23 yrs.)
11. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial/Indiana State)    .788 (361-97, 15 yrs.)*
12. Dave Robbins (Virginia Union)    .786 (713-194, 30 yrs.)
13. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .784 (385-106, 17 yrs.)
14. Jerry Tarkanian (LBSU/UNLV/Fresno St.)    .784 (729-201, 31 yrs.)
15. Francis Schmidt (Tulsa/Arkansas/TCU)    .782 (258-72, 17 yrs.)
* - active head coaches
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

RARE COMPANY - LESS THAN 100 LOSSES WITH 10 YEARS OF HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE
Ben McCollum is one of 17 active NCAA men's basketball head coaches to have less than 100 losses with at least 10 years of head coaching experience.

Matt Logie (Point Loma)    57 losses (12 yrs.)
John Tauer (St. Thomas)    79 losses (12 yrs.)
Josh Merkel (Randolph-Macon)    80 losses (12 yrs.)
Jim Crutchfield (Nova SE)    82 losses (18 yrs.)
Andy Bronkema (Ferris St.)    84 losses (10 yrs.)
Ben McCollum (NWMSU)    85 losses (14 yrs.)
Jim Rullo (Neumann)        85 losses (10 yrs.)
Rick Croy (California Baptist)    88 losses (10 yrs.)
Charlie Ernst (Findlay)        88 losses (12 yrs.)
Eric Olen (UC San Diego)    95 losses (10 yrs.)
Mike Fuline (Mt. Union)    96 losses (12 yrs.)
Andy Newman (Cal St. S.B.)    96 losses (10 yrs.)
Josh Schertz (Indiana St.)    97 losses (15 yrs.)
Brad Underwood (Illinois)    97 losses (10 yrs.)
Jimmy Smith (Trinity, Texas)    98 losses (10 yrs.)
Chris Beard (Texas)        98 losses (11 yrs.)*
Tony Dominguez (W. Wash.)    98 losses (10 yrs.)
* - no longer coaching this season

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 6 IN MIAA WINS
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 6 on the MIAA's all-time head coaching wins list with 351. Former Bearcat leader Steve Tappmeyer holds down the No. 4 spot with 408 wins when he was at Northwest.
    Ben McCollum has a mark of 211-61 in MIAA games only. McCollum became only the fifth head coach in league history to record 200 or more MIAA regular season victories. Tappmeyer holds the Northwest record for MIAA wins with a mark of 213-143 in 21 years.

Coaching Victories as MIAA Members (as of 1/22/23)
1.     Bob Chipman (Washburn)    569
2.    Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)    516
3.    Robert Corn (Mo. Southern)    413
4.    Steve Tappmeyer (NW)    408
5.    Boyd King (Truman State)    379
6.    Ben McCollum (NW)    351*
7.    Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    337
8.    Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    315*
9.    Willard Sims (Truman State)    310
10.    A.J. McDonald (Missouri St.)    302
* - active head coaches

MIAA Regular Season Victories Only (as of 1/22/23)
Bob Chipman (Washburn)    352
Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)    281
Robert Corn (Mo. Southern)    234
Steve Tappmeyer (Northwest)    213
Ben McCollum (Northwest)    211*
Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    196*
Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    191
Boyd King (Truman State)    159
Willard Sims (Truman State)    130
A.J. McDonald (Missouri St.)    128
Bill Thomas (Missouri St.)    117
* - active head coaches

MCCOLLUM VS. CURRENT MIAA FOES
Head coach Ben McCollum has a winning record against all 13 of Northwest's current MIAA foes.
    McCollum has recorded 20 or more wins against four MIAA opponents: Missouri Western (26), Lincoln (25), Pittsburg State (21) and Washburn (20).
    He is undefeated against Northeastern State (13-0), Rogers State (5-0) and Newman (4-0).

McCollum vs. Current MIAA Foes
Missouri Western    26-2
Lincoln            25-2
Pittsburg State        21-5
Washburn        20-10
Missouri Southern    18-11
Fort Hays State        17-6
Emporia State        16-7
Central Missouri    16-12
Nebraska-Kearney    13-1
Northeastern State    13-0
Central Oklahoma    11-3
Rogers State        5-0
Newman        4-0

11 STRAIGHT HOME WINS
Northwest has captured 11 consecutive home wins in a row, which ranks tied for the 10th-longest active win streak in Div. II.
    Northwest is 10-0 at home this season in Bearcat Arena. The Bearcats won their last home game of the 2021-22 season.

NCAA Div. II Active Home-Court Winning Streaks
55 - Lincoln Memorial
38 - Nova Southeastern
24 - Indiana, Pa.
16 - Belmont Abbey
15 - Missouri-St. Louis
15 - West Liberty
15 - Mercyhurst
14 - Hillsdale
12 - West Texas A&M
11 - Northwest Mo. St.
11 - Lee
11 - Northern St.
11 - Eastern New Mexico

    Northwest's 11-game home-court winning streak is the longest active streak in the MIAA. UCO's six-game home-court winning streak is the second longest active mark in the league.

MIAA Active Home-Court Winning Streaks
11 - Northwest Mo. St.
7 - Central Oklahoma
2 - Lincoln
2 - Fort Hays St.
2 - Rogers St.
2 - Washburn

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 157-13, including a tally of 105-10 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 114-6. In that same stretch, Northwest is 79-4 in home MIAA contests.

Year        Record (MIAA Games)
2011-12    12-1 (9-1)
2012-13    12-3 (6-3)
2013-14    12-1 (9-1)
2014-15    13-2 (8-1)
2015-16    13-0 (11-0)
2016-17    18-0 (10-0)
2017-18    12-2 (8-1)
2018-19    17-0 (9-0)
2019-20    16-0 (10-0)
2020-21    12-2 (10-1)
2021-22    12-2 (9-2)
2022-23    10-0 (7-0)

BEARCATS IN THE NABC POLL
Northwest has been ranked in the NABC Top 25 poll in 109 straight weeks - the longest active streak among NCAA Div. II schools.
    Northwest has been ranked in the NABC Top 25 poll 219 times in this history of its program.
    
Consecutive weeks ranked in NABC Top 25
149, West Liberty (2/2/2010-12/10/2019)
109, Northwest Missouri State (1/26/2016-1/24/2023)
95, Lincoln Memorial (12/7/2010-12/13/2016)
91, Bellarmine (11/18/2014-2/11/2020)
78, West Texas A&M (11/15/2017-3/8/2022)
76, Salem (1/21/1997-3/11/2003)
76, Grambling (1/5/1961-3/9/1967)
71, Kentucky Wesleyan (11/24/1997-12/16/2003)
66, Cal State-Bakersfield (1/27/1992-12/7/1998)
65, Augusta (1/30/2007-3/8/2011)
65, Stephen F. Austin (12/12/1968-3/8/1973)

Consecutive weeks in NABC Top 10
104, West Liberty (12/13/2011-2/27/2018)
92, Northwest Missouri State (3/8/2016-2/22/2022)
76, Grambling (1/5/1961-3/9/1967)
70, Kentucky Wesleyan (11/24/1997-3/11/2003)
47, Kentucky Wesleyan (12/29/1966-2/5/1970)
45, West Texas A&M (2/5/2019-1/25/2022)
43, Evansville (1/10/1963-3/3/1966)
40, Wittenberg (3/9/1961-2/4/1965)
39, Ashland (12/12/1968-3/11/1971)
38, Salem (1/28/1997-2/21/2000)

Consecutive weeks in NABC Top 5
60, Northwest Missouri State (3/6/2018-2/15/2022)
40, Grambling (3/2/1961-1/28/1965)
36, West Liberty (1/10/2012-2/11/2014)
35, Evansville (1/24/1963-1/20/1966)
32, Kentucky Wesleyan (12/29/1966-1/23/1969)
26, Bentley (12/12/2006-3/11/2008)
26, Southern Illinois (2/18/1965-3/9/1967)
25, Northwest Missouri State (11/15/2016-1/16/2018)
24, Jefferson (2/24/1992-1/22/1995)
24, Ashland (12/12/1968-2/19/1970)

Most weeks ranked 
356, Kentucky Wesleyan
277, Southern Indiana
232, Florida Southern
219, Northwest Missouri State
212, Virginia Union
204, West Liberty
201, Indiana (Pa.)
179, Bellarmine
169, MSU Denver
167, Findlay
164, Lincoln Memorial

Most weeks ranked in top 10 
258, Kentucky Wesleyan
161, West Liberty
153, Southern Indiana
150, Virginia Union
140, Northwest Missouri State
135, Bellarmine
124, Florida Southern
114, Indiana (Pa.)
106, MSU Denver
102, Lincoln Memorial

Most weeks ranked in top 5 
161, Kentucky Wesleyan
122, Northwest Missouri State
111, West Liberty
100, Bellarmine
98, Virginia Union
76, Florida Southern
75, Southern Indiana
72, MSU Denver
64, Indiana (Pa.)
63, Lincoln Memorial

Most weeks ranked No. 1
52, Kentucky Wesleyan
52, Northwest Missouri State
46, West Liberty
33, Virginia Union
27, Bellarmine
26, Evansville
25, Cal State-Bakersfield
22, Florida Southern
20, MSU Denver
18, Kentucky State

BERNARD NAMED MIAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior guard Diego Bernard has been named the MIAA men's basketball player of the week for the first time in his career.
    Bernard was off the charts efficient in leading Northwest to a pair of home conference victories over Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State. Bernard shot 70.0% from the floor (92.3% from the line) and averaged 21.0 points per game along with 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals.
    Bernard went 7-of-11 from the field and tallied 19 points in an 84-74 win over Nebraska-Kearney. Bernard drained all four of his free throw attempts handed out four assists and nabbed four steals against the Lopers.
    Bernard buried 7-of-9 field goals and 8-of-9 free throws as he posted 23 points in a 64-49 win against Fort Hays State.
    Bernard is the second Bearcat to win the MIAA's weekly honor this season following Bennett Stirtz taking home the award in week one.

YET ANOTHER 20-GAME WIN STREAK FOR BEARCATS
Northwest has tallied five streaks of 20 wins or more under head coach Ben McCollum.
    Since the inception of men's basketball at Northwest in 1914-15, the Bearcats have produced eight win streaks of 20 or more.

20-Game Win Streaks in School History
46 - Nov. 3, 2018 to Dec. 5, 2019
42 - 1929-30 season into 1930-31 season
28 - Dec. 16, 2019 to Jan. 7, 2021
24 - Nov. 11, 2016 to Feb. 16, 2017
23 - Feb. 23, 2017 to Dec. 30, 2017
21 - Feb. 23, 2022 to Dec. 11, 2022
20 - 1931-32 season
20 - 1939-40 season

STIRTZ NAMED MIAA POW
Freshman Bennett Stirtz was named the MIAA men's basketball player of the week on Nov. 14.
    Stirtz began his collegiate career by scoring in double figures in all four contests. He averaged a team-best 14.5 points per game, while shooting 67.7% from the floor (including 7-of-13 from three-point range). He has handed out 16 assists to go against one turnover in 121 minutes of game action.
    Stirtz did not miss a field goal in his debut against No. 5-ranked West Texas A&M in Lakeland, Fla. Stirtz went 6-of-6 from the floor, 2-of-2 at the line and sank his only three-point shot. He dished out five assists and did not commit a turnovers against the Buffs in a season-opening 78-62 Northwest victory.
    Stirtz tallied 10 points, four assists, four steals and a rebound in an 88-75 victory over Flagler in Lakeland, Fla.
    He put up a season-high 17 points and six rebounds in an 81-78 triumph over Northern State in St. Joseph, Mo. Stirtz made 5-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range against the Wolves. He had three assists and no turnovers in 35 minutes of action.
    Stirtz notched 16 points, four rebounds and four assists in a 79-42 blowout of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday in St. Joseph. He made 6-of-10 shots from the floor and went 2-of-4 from three-point range. He did not commit a turnover in 27 minutes of play.

NORTHWEST IN ST. JOSEPH
Northwest has won 25 consecutive games in the city of St. Joseph that includes six victories over Missouri Western.

Northwest's Last 25 Games in St. Joseph
W, 79-42 vs. Minnesota Crookston (11/12/22)
W, 81-78 vs. Northern State (11/11/22)
W, 84-61 vs. Missouri Western (2/5/22)
W, 78-65 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (11/19/21)
W, 64-59 vs. Seattle Pacific (11/7/21)
W, 68-55 vs. Northern State (11/6/21)
W, 79-56 vs. Missouri Western (2/9/21)
W, 92-69 vs. Missouri Western (2/25/20)
W, 92-71 vs. MSU Moorhead (11/9/19
W, 60-52 vs. Minn.-Crookston (11/8/19)
W, 100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
W, 85-65 vs. Daemen (11/1/19)
W, 87-64 vs. Missouri Western (1/19/19)
W, 84-59 vs. Winona State (11/10/18)
W, 76-59 vs. Upper Iowa (11/9/18)
W, 100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/4/18)
W, 72-70 vs. Northern State (11/3/18)
W, 74-60 vs. Missouri Western (12/6/17)
W, 71-60 vs. Northern State (11/12/17)
W, 89-65 vs. Upper Iowa (11/10/17)
W, 74-58 vs. Missouri Western (1/28/17)
W, 76-58 vs. Wayne State (11/13/16)
W, 87-52 vs. Upper Iowa (11/11/16)
W, 66-60 vs. Missouri Western (1/9/16)
W, 89-52 vs. Wayne State (11/14/15)

'CATS FIND NEUTRAL COURT DOMINANCE
Northwest has won 59 of its last 60 games on neutral floors.
    Northwest had a streak of 45 straight neutral court wins snapped this season by Sioux Falls in Municipal Auditorium on Nov. 13. USF scored an 83-77 win over Northwest.

Northwest - 59-1 in Last 60 Neutral Court Games
W, 79-42 vs. Minnesota Crookston (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/12/22)
W, 81-78 vs. Northern State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/11/22)
W, 88-75 vs. Flagler (Lakeland, Fla. - 11/6/22)
W, 78-62 vs. West Texas A&M (Lakeland, Fla. - 11/5/22)
W, 67-58 vs. Augusta (Evansville, Ind. - 3/26/22)
W, 70-57 vs. Black Hills State (Evansville, Ind. - 3/24/22)
W, 61-43 vs. Bentley (Evansville, Ind. - 3/22/22)
W, 70-55 vs. Washburn (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/13/22)
W, 69-54 vs. MSU Moorhead (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/12/22)
W, 84-76 vs. Washburn (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/6/22)
W, 53-50 vs. Fort Hays State (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/5/22)
W, 72-50 vs. Rogers State (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/3/22)
W, 78-65 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/19/21)
W, 75-52 vs. Arkansas-Monticello (Kansas City, Mo. - 11/14/21)
L, 83-77 vs. Sioux Falls (Kansas City, Mo. - 11/13/21)
W, 64-59 vs. Seattle Pacific (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/7/21)
W, 68-55 vs. Northern State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/6/21)
W, 80-54 vs. West Texas A&M (Evansville, Ind. - 3/27/21)
W, 77-46 vs. Flagler (Evansville, Ind. - 3/25/21)
W, 98-77 vs. West Liberty (Evansville, Ind. - 3/24/21)
W, 85-44 vs. Washburn (Aberdeen, S.D. - 3/14/21)
W, 78-76 vs. Missouri Southern (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/8/20)
W, 80-54 vs. Missouri Western (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/7/20)
W, 75-54 vs. Lincoln (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/5/20)
W, 92-71 vs. MSU Moorhead (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/9/19)
W, 60-52 vs. Minnesota Crookston (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/8/19)
W, 100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/2/19)
W, 85-65 vs. Daemen (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/1/19)
W, 64-58 vs. Point Loma (Evansville, Ind. - 3/30/19)
W, 76-53 vs. Saint Anselm (Evansville, Ind. - 3/28/19)
W, 55-51 vs. Mercyhurst (Evansville, Ind. - 3/27/19)
W, 82-53 vs. Washburn (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/10/19)
W, 86-69 vs. Lincoln (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/9/19)
W, 82-79 vs. Emporia State (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/7/19)
W, 85-66 vs. Illinois-Springfield (Kansas City, Mo. - 11/19/18)
W, 84-59 vs. Winona State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/10/18)
W, 76-59 vs. Upper Iowa (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/9/18)
W, 100-86 vs. Ferris State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/4/18)
W, 72-70 OT vs. Northern State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/3/18)
W, 80-74 vs. Washburn (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/4/18)
W, 65-57 vs. Central Oklahoma (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/3/18)
W, 79-73 vs. Pittsburg State (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/2/18)
W, 70-56 vs. Lincoln Memorial (Owensboro, Ky. - 12/19/17)
W, 86-78 vs. Washburn (Kansas City, Mo. - 11/21/17)
W, 71-60 vs. Northern State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/12/17)
W, 89-65 vs. Upper Iowa (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/10/17)
W, 71-61 vs. Fairmont State (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/25/17)
W, 79-67 vs. Lincoln Memorial (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/23/17)
W, 79-70 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/22/17)
W, 69-61 vs. Central Missouri (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/5/17)
W, 67-63 vs. Missouri Southern (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/4/17)
W, 80-76 vs. Lincoln (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/2/17)
W, 76-58 vs. Wayne State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/13/16)
W, 87-52 vs. Upper Iowa (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/11/16)
W, 82-60 vs. Minnesota State (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/13/16)
W, 78-53 vs. Ouachita Baptist (Sioux Falls, S.D. - 3/12/16)
W, 61-53 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/6/16)
W, 69-51 vs. Fort Hays State (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/5/16)
W, 62-57 vs. Lindenwood (Kansas City, Mo. - 3/4/16)
W, 89-52 vs. Wayne State (St. Joseph, Mo. - 11/14/15)

NORTHWEST HAS WON 14 STRAIGHT GAMES ON NEUTRAL COURTS
Northwest has won 14 consecutive games on neutral courts, which is the longest active Division II neutral court winning streak. Washington University, an NCAA Division III school, has won 17 straight neutral court games.

NCAA All Div. Neutral Court Win Streak
WashU - 17 (Div. III)
Northwest Missouri State - 14 (Div. II)
Randolph-Macon - 14 (Div. III)
Claremont-M-S - 12 (Div. III)
William Paterson - 11 (Div. III)
Wesleyan (Conn.) - 11 (Div. III)
Adelphi - 10 (Div. II)

JACKSON'S SCORING TOUCH
Sophomore guard Isaiah Jackson had a scoring explosion with a career-high 26-point scoring night against Flagler.
    Jackson buried 9-of-13 shots from the field, including 6-of-8 from three-point range.
    His previous career high in scoring was 13 points against Washburn last season in the Central Region Tournament.
    Jackson knocked in his first three 3-point shots of the game and scored 11 first-half points. After Flagler had cut a 23-point deficit down to nine points, Jackson reignited his scoring outburst and scored the final 16 points of the game for the Bearcats.
    Jackson came into the contest having made a total of two 3-point shots in his collegiate career.

BERNARD IS PERFECT IN NCAA TOURNEY PLAY
Senior guard Diego Bernard has helped Northwest to a perfect record in NCAA Tournament play since he arrived at Northwest in the 2018-19 season. Bernard is 16-0 in NCAA Tournament action, while Northwest is 17-0 in that stretch.

Diego Bernard (16 NCAA Games)
10.5 Points Per Game (168 points)
47.4% Field Goal Percentage (55-116)
80.9% Free Throw Percentage (55-68)
93 Rebounds
38 Assists
22 Steals

LADDERS, SCISSORS, NETS, TROPHIES
Diego Bernard has worn out his share of ladders, scissors, nets and trophies.
    Bernard is on a 13-of-14 run when it comes to cutting down the nets to celebrate titles and championships.
    The only title that Bernard has not celebrated was the 2021 MIAA Tournament title when Washburn's Tyler Geiman made a 55-foot shot at the buzzer to defeat Northwest, 69-68.
    
2018-19
MIAA Regular Season Title
MIAA Tournament Title
NCAA Central Region Title
2019 NCAA Championship

2019-20
MIAA Regular Season Title
MIAA Tournament Title
NCAA Tournament - Canceled by COVID-19

2020-21
MIAA Regular Season Title
NCAA Central Region Title
2021 NCAA Championship

2021-22
MIAA Regular Season Title
MIAA Tournament Title
NCAA Central Region Title
2022 NCAA Championship

'CATS HAVE SIX 30-WIN SEASONS
Northwest reached the 30-win mark for the sixth time in program history last year and has done so in four of the last six seasons.
    Northwests's 34 wins in 2021-22 ranks as the third-best single-season total in program history.
    Northwest set its single-season win mark in 2018-19 when the Bearcats won 38 games en route to the national championship.
    
Northwest's 30-Win Seasons
38-0 - 2018-19 (National Champions)
35-1 - 2016-17 (National Champions)
34-5 - 2021-22 (National Champions)
31-0 - 1929-30 (NCAA Tournament not contested)
31-6 - 1930-31 (NCAA Tournament not contested)
31-1 - 2019-20 (NCAA Tournament not contested)

11 STRAIGHT 20-WIN SEASONS
Northwest has recorded 11 consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Ben McCollum.
    It is the longest active 20-win season streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    McCollum's 11 20-win seasons are the most among Northwest men's basketball coaches. McCollum passed Steve Tappmeyer, who held the previous mark of 10 20-win seasons on the Bearcat sidelines.
    Northwest has produced 28 20-win seasons in program history.

Northwest Coaching 20-Win Seasons
Ben McCollum - 11
Steve Tappmeyer - 10
Hank Iba - 3
Lionel Sinn - 3
Sparky Stalcup - 1

100-POINT MARK
Northwest has scored 100 or more points 17 times under head coach Ben McCollum.

100-Point Games under McCollum
105-55 vs. Manhattan Christian (11/16/09)
104-67 vs. Graceland (11/28/09)
105-59 vs. Waldorf (12/16/13)
104-69 at Southwest Baptist (1/16/14)
103-58 vs. Missouri Valley (12/13/16)
100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/3/18)
100-66 vs. Midland (12/1/18)
108-58 vs. Simpson (12/30/18)
105-70 at Northeastern State (1/3/19)
111-83 vs. Pittsburg State (1/31/19)
100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
102-59 vs. William Jewell (11/21/19)
110-66 vs. Central Methodist (12/16/19)
101-66 vs. Simpson (1/1/20)
100-61 vs. Emporia State (3/3/21)
104-72 vs. Central Oklahoma (3/5/21)
101-63 vs. Missouri Western (12/18/21)

MCCOLLUM 8-7 IN 1-POINT GAMES
Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum is 8-7 in one-point games since taking over the Bearcat program.

One-Point Games Under Ben McCollum
L, 76-75 vs. Emporia State (2/21/22)
L, 60-59 vs. Washburn (2/19/22)
L, 76-75 OT at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
L, 69-68 vs. Washburn (3/6/21)
W, 77-76 vs. Missouri Southern (2/20/20)
W, 76-75 vs. Missouri Southern (1/27/16)
W, 66-65 at Augustana (3/15/15)
W, 59-58 at Missouri Western (2/4/15)
L, 60-59 vs. Central Missouri (3/18/14)
W, 79-78 vs. Missouri Southern (1/22/14)
L, 59-58 at Fort Hays State (2/16/13)
W, 52-51 vs. Emporia State (2/2/13)
W, 69-68 OT at Missouri Southern (1/3/13)
W, 65-64 vs. Pittsburg State (2/5/11)
L, 47-46 at Southwest Minnesota State (11/27/11)

OVERTIME IN MCCOLLUM ERA
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum is 10-7 in overtime contests since taking over the program in the 2009-10 season.

Overtime Games Under Ben McCollum
L, 76-75 at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
W, 91-86 at Northern State (3/16/21)
W, 88-85 at Washburn (2/20/21)
L, 84-82 vs. Washburn (1/7/21)
W, 72-70 vs. Northern State (11/3/18)
W, 79-74 vs. Upper Iowa (3/11/17)
W, 77-73 vs. Southwest Baptist (1/14/15)
L, 60-59 vs. Central Missouri (3/18/14)
W, 73-69 at Nebraska-Kearney (1/9/14)
L, 79-76 vs. Central Missouri (3/10/13)
W, 69-68 at Missouri Southern (1/3/13)
W, 73-66 vs. Lindenwood (12/5/12)
W, 94-87 at Truman State (2/15/12) -- Double Overtime
W, 73-70 vs. Pittsburg State (12/7/11)
L, 85-80 at Nebraska-Omaha (12/11/10)
L, 89-81 vs. Missouri Southern (2/27/10)
L, 92-83 vs. vs. Southwest Baptist (1/16/10)

NORTHWEST HAS TALLIED A LEAGUE-BEST 22 MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLES
Northwest captured its ninth straight MIAA regular season title and a league-record 22nd overall crown in the 2021-22 season.

MIAA Regular Season Titles
Northwest - 22
Central Missouri - 21
Missouri State - 19
Southeast Missouri State - 13
Washburn - 10
Truman State - 9
Missouri Western - 5
Southwest Baptist - 4
Lincoln - 4
Missouri Southern - 2
Missouri S&T - 2
Fort Hays State - 1
Pittsburg State - 1

BEARCATS HAVE CLAIMED NINE STRAIGHT MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLES
Northwest captured its ninth straight MIAA regular season crown in the 2021-22 season.
    Only Gongaza has a longer conference title winning streak with 10 in a row. The Zags have won 10 straight West Coast Conference titles at the NCAA Division I level.
    Over the last 10 seasons, Northwest has compiled a league mark of 170-22.
    Over the last seven seasons in MIAA play, Northwest has a record of 120-11 against league foes.

Year        NW's MIAA Record
2013-14    16-3
2014-15    15-4
2015-16    19-3
2016-17    18-1
2017-18    16-3
2018-19    19-0
2019-20    18-1
2020-21    21-1
2021-22    18-4
2022-23    10-2
Totals    170-22

NORTHWEST IS NAT'L NAME
Northwest is 40-20 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with six appearances in the Elite Eight (2002, 2004, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).
    Northwest became the first NCAA Division II school to capture three straight national titles.
    The Bearcats have claimed four national championships with titles in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
    
NCAA Div. II National Titles
8, Kentucky Wesleyan
5, Evansville
4, Northwest Missouri State
3, Virginia Union
2, Central Missouri
2, MSU Denver
2, North Alabama
2, Winona State

MIAA PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
Northwest Missouri State has again been picked first in the 2022-23 MIAA preseason men's basketball coaches and media polls.

2022-23 MIAA Coaches Poll
1.    Northwest Missouri State [11] – 167 Points
2.     Central Oklahoma [3] – 158 Points
3.     Fort Hays State – 137 Points
4.     Washburn – 131 Points
5.     Emporia State – 125 Points
6.     Northeastern State – 100 Points
7.     Missouri Western – 93 Points
8.     Missouri Southern – 85 Points
9.     Central Missouri – 73 Points
10.     Pittsburg State – 63 Points
    Rogers State – 63 Points
12.     Nebraska Kearney – 36 Points
13.     Lincoln – 26 Points
14.     Newman – 17 Points   
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2022-23 MIAA Media Poll
1.     Northwest Missouri State [14] – 261 Points
2.     Central Oklahoma [4] – 243 Points
3.     Fort Hays State – 216 Points
4.     Washburn – 209 Points
5.     Emporia State – 181 Points
6.     Missouri Western – 163 Points
7.     Missouri Southern – 146 Points
8.     Northeastern State – 135 Points
9.     Central Missouri – 112 Points
10.     Pittsburg State – 106 Points
11.     Rogers State – 92 Points
12.     Nebraska Kearney – 67 Points
13.     Newman – 33 Points
14.     Lincoln – 31 Points

2023 MIAA TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
Northwest Missouri State University basketball fans can purchase tickets to the 2023 MIAA Tournament presented by Southern Bank at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
    Tickets will be available for sale at all remaining Bearcat basketball home games (Feb. 2, Feb. 4, Feb. 23 and Feb. 25) at the box office in Bearcat Arena.
    Fans can purchase an all-session pass that will cost $50 or single-session tickets for $20 ($10 for student all-session ticket).
    Purchasing through Northwest will ensure seats in the Bearcat cheering sections for the quarterfinals, semifinal and championship rounds. Single session adult tickets are also available game days at Municipal Auditorium and through TicketMaster.

The 2023 MIAA Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments are set for March 1-5 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

Its marks the 20th year the event will be played at the historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City. For the fourth time, the championships will have a field make-up of the top 10 men's and 10 women's teams in the Association's standings.

All men's and women's games of the championship will be held in Kansas City over five days beginning on Wednesday, March 1 concluding with the championship games on Sunday, March 5. The men's games will be taking the court in the afternoon sessions and the women's games will be played during the evening sessions.

       Single Session
o   Students - $10
o   Adults - $20
·       All-Tournament Pass
o   $75
o   $50 if purchased at one of the MIAA institutions
·       Children six and under are admitted at no charge

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