Saturday, Jan. 7 | 3:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Missouri Western at No. 5 Northwest Missouri State
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Bearcat Radio Network/MIAA Network
John Coffey - Play-by-Play
Matt Tritten - Analyst

BEARCATS, GRIFFONS TO MATCH UP SATURDAY
The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (13-1 overall, 6-1 MIAA) will take on the Missouri Western Griffons (7-5, 3-3 MIAA) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

ALL-TIME VS. GRIFFONS
Northwest holds a 61-35 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri Western.
    Northwest has defeated Missouri Western 20 straight times, including 13 consecutive victories in Bearcat Arena.
    Head coach Ben McCollum is 25-2 vs. Missouri Western.

MCCOLLUM VS. CURRENT MIAA FOES
Head coach Ben McCollum has a winning record against all 13 of its current MIAA foes.
    McCollum has recorded 20 or more wins against four MIAA opponents: Missouri Western (25), Lincoln (24), Pittsburg State (21) and Washburn (20).
    He is undefeated against Northeastern State (13-0), Rogers State (5-0) and Newman (3-0).

McCollum vs. Current MIAA Foes
Missouri Western    25-2
Lincoln            24-2
Pittsburg State        21-5
Washburn        20-10
Missouri Southern    18-11
Fort Hays State        17-6
Emporia State        16-7
Central Missouri    15-12
Nebraska-Kearney    13-1
Northeastern State    13-0
Central Oklahoma    11-2
Rogers State        5-0
Newman        3-0

EIGHT STRAIGHT HOME WINS
Northwest has captured eight consecutive home wins in a row. Northwest is 7-0 at home this season in Bearcat Arena. The Bearcats won their last home game of the 2021-22 season.
    Northwest's eight-game home-court winning streak is the longest active streak in the MIAA.

MIAA Home-Court Winning Streaks
8 - Northwest Mo. St.
6 - Rogers State
4 - Central Oklahoma

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 155-13, including a tally of 103-10 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 112-6. In that same stretch, Northwest is 77-4 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    7-0 (4-0)

HE'S ONLY A FRESHMAN
Bearcat freshman guard Bennett Stirtz is off to a tremendous start to his collegiate career.
    Stirtz leads the MIAA in field goal percentage (63.6%), steals (32) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.67).
    Stirtz is tied for No. 9 in the nation in total steals (32). He has recorded at least one steal in every game this season. He has posted at least two steals in 11 of 14 games.
    He is averaging 13.9 points per game while leading the Bearcats in minutes played (32.4). He ranks sixth in the MIAA in minutes.
    Stirtz ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in free throw percentage (86.0%). Stirtz has knocked in 49-of-57 at the charity stripe.
    He has also drained 20-of-40 from three-point range (50.0%). He has made at least one three-pointer in 11 of 14 games played.

STIRTZ, JACKSON TOP MIAA IN ASSIST-TO-TURNOVER RATIO
The Bearcat backcourt tandem of freshman Bennett Stirtz and sophomore Isaiah Jackson rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the MIAA in assist-to-turnover ratio.
    Stirtz is tops in the MIAA at 2.67 with 48 assists and 18 turnovers in 32.7 minutes of action per game.
    Jackson ranks No. 2 in the MIAA at 2.47 with 47 assists and 19 turnovers in 24.4 minutes per game.

ISAIAH CAN DISH
Sophomore guard Isaiah Jackson has been setting the table of late by handing out 21 assists over the last four contests. He has made only four turnovers in the last games.

PLAYING WITH THE LEAD
In Northwest's 13 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.

SEVEN-POINT MARGINS ARE NOT ENOUGH
Northwest has overcome three seven-point first-half deficits this season to record victories.
    Northwest faced seven-point deficits against Pittsburg State, Northeastern State and Rogers State before coming back to win all three matchups.

NORTHWEST TOPS COUNTRY IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Northwest is the best field goal shooting team in the country at 54.6%.
    Northwest has made 393-of-720 field goals to rank No. 1 in the nation among NCAA Div. II teams.
    Northwest has shot 50.0% or better in 11 of its 14 games.
    The Bearcats have hit on 60.0% or better in three of its six contests this season.
    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.    Northwest Mo. St.        54.6%
2.    Lincoln Memorial        53.2%
3.    Ferris St.        52.6%
4.    North Georgia        52.5%
5.    Seattle Pacific        52.4%
6.    Nova Southeastern        52.2%
7.    Missouri-St. Louis        52.2%
8.    Northeastern St.        52.1%
9.    Hawaii Hilo        51.7%
10.    Ashland        51.7%

THREE OF THE TOP FIVE SHOOTERS IN MIAA
Northwest possesses three of the top five field goal percentage shooters in the MIAA.
    Bennett Stirtz leads the league at 63.6% from the field. Diego Bernard ranks No. 2 in the MIAA by draining 60.6% of his field goals. Luke Waters ranks No. 5 in the league at 52.8% from the floor.

THE POINT IS TO OUTSCORE
Northwest ranks No. 10 in the nation in scoring margin +19.4 through Jan. 2.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Margin
1.    Nova Southeastern        +29.2
2.    East Stroudsburg        +23.3
3.    Central Oklahoma        +22.1
4.    Indiana, Pa.        +21.0
5.    Lincoln Memorial        +20.7
6.    West Liberty        +20.6
7.    Mercyhurst        +20.6
8.    Ferris St.        +20.4
9.    Cal St. San Bernadino    +20.0
10.    Northwest Mo. St.        +19.4

BEARCATS RANK 10TH IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest has continued its defensive approach in the 2022-23 season. Northwest ranks No. 10 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 60.4 points per game.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Defense
1.    Indiana, Pa.        56.5
2.    Fort Hays St.        56.7
3.    Miles            57.6
4.    Central Oklahoma        57.8
5.    West Alabama        58.8
6.    Tuskegee        59.4
7.    Hillsdale        60.1
8.    UIndy        60.4
9.    Southern Nazarene        60.4
10.    Northwest Mo. St.        60.4

NORTHWEST ALLOWS FEWEST REBOUNDS
The Bearcats allow the fewest rebounds per game (24.1) in the country.
    The Bearcats make rebounding a priority and have won the rebounding battle in all 13 of their wins this season.
NCAA Div. II Fewest Rebounds Allowed Per Game
1.    Northwest Mo. St.        24.1
2.    Colorado Mesa        27.2
3.    Alaska Fairbanks        27.5
4.    Southwest Baptist        27.5
5.    Lubbock Christian        27.5
6.    Southern Nazarene        27.8
7.    Bentley        28.1
8.    West Alabama        28.4
9.    Winston-Salem        28.5
10.    Northern Michigan        28.5

MCCOLLUM'S DEFENSIVE APPROACH
When the Bearcats hold an opponent to 59 points or less, head coach Ben McCollum has guided Northwest to a mark of 156-5 in his 14-year career.
    The Bearcats have limited seven opponents to 59 points or less this season.
    Northwest held Minnesota Crookston to 42 points in a 79-42 trouncing of the Golden Eagles in St. Joseph, Mo., on Nov. 12. The 42 points allowed vs. Minnesota Crookston is the fifth-lowest point total allowed during McCollum's tenure at Northwest.
    
Fewest Points Allowed in Ben McCollum Era
37 vs. Central Missouri (1/30/21)
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)

PILING UP WINS
As of Jan. 3, Northwest's 13 wins this season are tied for the most victories in the nation among NCAA Division II teams. Northwest is joined at 13 wins by Alabama-Huntsville, Lincoln Memorial, Dominican (N.Y.) and Central Oklahoma.

WINNING NUMBERS
Northwest has posted a spectacular mark of 144-9 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 14 losses in the last seven seasons. The Bearcats have compiled a record of 206-14 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
13-1 - 2022-23

'CATS, MCCOLLUM ROLLING IN BIG WINS
Under head coach Ben McCollum the Bearcats are 138-3 in games decided by 20 points or more.
    Northwest has won 136 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.

BEARCATS DISH AND RARELY TURN IT OVER
Northwest ranks No. 18 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.42 with 220 assists and 155 turnovers.
    
'CATS SCORING SUPERLATIVES
Diego Bernard and Wes Dreamer each tallied 20-point scoring games in Northwest's 79-58 victory over Northeastern State on Dec. 31. Bernard scored 21 points for his 16th career 20-point scoring game, while Dreamer garnered 20 points for the 10th time in his career.                                 

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Diego Bernard - 105
Luke Waters - 51
Wes Dreamer - 49
Daniel Abreu - 16
Bennett Stirtz - 11
Byron Alexander - 9
Isaiah Jackson - 7
Mitch Mascari - 7
Luke Moustakas - 3

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Diego Bernard - 16
Wes Dreamer - 10
Luke Waters - 3
Daniel Abreu - 1
Isaiah Jackson - 1
Mitch Mascari - 1
Bennett Stirtz - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Wes Dreamer - 1

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)
Bennett Stirtz        +220    +23.80
Wes Dreamer        +178    +22.31
Diego Bernard        +209    +22.16
Isaiah Jackson        +175    +20.84
Luke Waters        +208    +20.38
Mitch Mascari        +141    +19.03
Byron Alexander    +96    +17.50
Daniel Abreu        +126    +17.40
NORTHWEST OWNS NATION'S BEST OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY ACCORDING TO SYNERGY
The Bearcat men's basketball squad ranks No. 1 in the nation among NCAA Division II schools in points per offensive possession (1.114) according to Synergy Sports Technology.

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. II)
1.    Northwest Mo. St.    1.114
2.    Black Hills St.    1.079
3.    Seattle Pacific    1.067
4.    Ferris St.    1.062
5.    Bentley    1.061
6.    Northern Michigan    1.054
7.    Lincoln Memorial    1.052
8.    Fort Lewis    1.046
9.    Missouri-St. Louis    1.043
10.    Northeastern St.    1.035

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. I)
1.    Missouri    1.045
    Liberty    1.045
3    Utah St.    1.041
4.    Colgate    1.035
5.    Gonzaga    1.034
6.    Penn St.    1.031
    Arizona    1.031
8.    Colorado St.    1.023
    Oral Roberts    1.023
10.    St. Thomas    1.019

TOP EFFECTIVE FIELD GOAL % IN D-II
Northwest possesses the NCAA Division II's top effective field goal percentage at 62.1% courtesy of Synergy Sports Technology.

Effective Field Goal Percentage (All NCAA Divisions)
1.    Jamestown    62.4%
2.    New York Univ.    62.2%
3.    Northwest Mo. St.    62.1%
4.    Dordt    61.1%
5.    Seattle Pacific    60.9%
6.    Lincoln Memorial    60.8%
7.    Ferris St.    60.5%
8.    Peru St.    59.8%
9.    Black Hills St.    59.7%
10.    Mayville St.    59.6%

MITCH IS MAKING TREYS AT A HIGH CLIP
Sophomore Mitch Mascari leads the Bearcats in three-pointers made (30) and in three-point field goal percentage (.517). 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
Senior Diego Bernard ranks No. 4 on Northwest's all-time scoring chart with 1,875 points. Bernard trails only Trevor Hudgins (2,829), Justin Pitts (2,459) and Ryan Hawkins (2,098) on Northwest's scoring chart.

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.)        1,875 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. Bob Sundell (1986-89)        1,082 pts
26. Luke Waters (2019-pr.)        1,059 pts
27. Rick Jolley (1993-96)            1,054 pts
28. Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)        1,039 pts

BERNARD IS THE BEARCATS SENIOR LEADER
Senior guard Diego Bernard is tops on the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounding (5.1) and assists (50 total).

BERNARD HAS PLAYED, WON MORE GAMES THAN ANY OTHER BEARCAT
Diego Bernard has played and won more games than any other Bearcats in program history. He is also the NCAA active leader in games played (all divisions).
    Bernard has played in 149 games. Bernard has won 144 games in his career.
    He has started 137 games - trailing only Trevor Hudgins's mark of 139 career starts.

Games Played (All NCAA Divisions)
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 149
Victor Bailey Jr. (George Mason) - 148
Connor McCaffery (Iowa) - 147
Darius McGhee (Liberty) - 147
Garrett Sturtz (Drake) - 147
Reggie Chaney (Houston) - 146
Angelo Allegri (Eastern Washington) - 146
Andrew Platek (Siena) - 146
Damien Daniels (Abilene Christian) - 145

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 MIAA player to have at least 1,800 points, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 100 made three-pointers.
    Bernard has tallied 1,875 points, 863 rebounds, 454 assists and 138 made three-pointers.

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

1,800 Points & 800 Rebounds (Active NCAA MBB)
Dalton Bolon (Coll. of Charleston) - 2,459 pts/885 rbs
Cam Martin (Kansas) - 2,160 pts/877 rbs
Jayden Gardner (Virginia) - 2,143 pts/996 rbs
KJ Williams (LSU) - 1,907 pts/992 rbs
Kevin Obanor (Texas Tech) - 1,881 pts/969 rbs
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,875 pts/863 rbs
Timmy Allen (Texas) - 1,864 pts/830 rbs
Jordan Janssen (Wayne St., Neb.) - 1,841 pts/1,056 rbs

Bernard is one of 13 active NCAA men's basketball players (and the only Div. II player) with at least 1,800 points and 400 assists.

1,800 Points & 400 Assists (Active NCAA MBB)
Antoine Davis (Detroit Mercy) - 3,103 pts/521 ast
Joel Murray (Long Beach St.) - 2,391 pts/524 ast
Taevion Kinsey (Marshall) - 2,242 pts/462 ast
Sam Sessoms (Coppin St.) - 2,085 pts/477 ast
Marcus Carr (Texas) - 1,974 pts/647 ast
JR Clay (Tennessee St.) - 1,883 pts/515 ast
Diego Bernard (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,875 pts/454 ast
Hunter Maldonado (Wyoming) - 1,869 pts/557 ast
Kendric Davis (Memphis) - 1,854 pts/611 ast
Demetre Roberts (Farleigh Dickinson) - 1,841 pts/474 ast
Jarred Godfrey (Purdue-Ft. Wayne) - 1,832 pts/430 ast
Branden Maughmer (Morehead St.) - 1,821 pts/442 ast
Tyree Appleby (Wake Forest) - 1,810 pts/580 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 1,875 points. Only Fairmont State's Isaiah Sanders (2,084 points) and Black Hills State's Joel Scott (1,908 points) have tallied more career points.
    Bernard ranks No. 2 among NCAA Div. II players in rebounding with 863 career boards. Wayne State's Jordan Janssen had tallied 1,056 career rebounds.
    Bernard has tallied 454 career assists to rank third behind Augusta's Tyree Myers (568) and Mount Olive's Michael Brown (485).
    Bernard has accumulated the second-most career steals among NCAA Div. II active players with 225. Valdosta State's Cam Hamilton tops the chart wtih 231 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 454.

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.    Victor Coleman (1981-84)    467
6.    Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    454
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 669 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.)        669
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 UP TO NO. 7 IN MADE FREE THROWS
Senior guard Diego Bernard has drained 399 free throws to rank No. 7 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.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)            414
6.    Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        402
7.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        399
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
Victor Coleman (1980-84)    1,759 pts/586 rbs
Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    1,875 pts/863 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
Rick Jolley (1993-96)    1,054 pts/574 rbs
Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    1,039 pts/519 rbs

BERNARD CLIMBING BEARCAT REBOUND LIST
Diego Bernard ranks No. 3 Northwest's all-time rebounds list with 863. Bernard is one of five Bearcats to reach 800 or more career rebounds.

Northwest's Rebounds in a Career
1.     Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)            930
2.     Don Sears (1966-1970)            874
3.    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        863
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 tied for No. 2 on Northwest's all-time steals list with Ryan Hawkins at 225. 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.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)            225
    Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)    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 199 career three-pointers to rank No. 8 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.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)    205
8.    Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    199
9.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)    173
10.    Joey Witthus (2017-19)    172

MCCOLLUM MOVES CAREER MARK TO 347-84
In 14 seasons at the helm of the Bearcat program, head coach Ben McCollum has led Northwest to a record of 347-84.
    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. 9 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)    .852 (471-82, 18 yrs.)
2. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .818 (258-57, 11 yrs.)
3. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .805 (347-84, 14 yrs.)
4. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .781 (379-106, 17 yrs.)
5. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .754 (421-137, 20 yrs.)
6. Charlie Ernst (Findlay)    .744 (251-86, 12 yrs.)
7. Ken Ammann (Concordia, Calif.)    .722 (502-193, 22 yrs.)
8. Andy Bronkema (Ferris St.)    .719 (212-83, 10 yrs.)
9. Burt Paddock (Davenport)    .715 (331-132, 15 yrs.)
10. Dave Holmquist (Biola)    .709 (1,031-423, 46 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

NCAA All Divisions Active Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .852 (471-82, 17 yrs.)
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .835 (670-132, 24 yrs.)
3. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .819 (258-57, 11 yrs.)
4. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .805 (347-84, 14 yrs.)
5. Josh Schertz (Indiana State)    .794 (359-93, 15 yrs.)
6. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .781 (379-106, 17 yrs.)
7. Bill Self (Kansas)    .771 (776-230, 30 yrs.)
8. John Calipari (Kentucky)    .763 (778-243, 31 yrs.)
9. John Krikorian (Chris. Newport)    .762 (339-106), 16 yrs.)
10. John Tauer (St. Thomas, Minn.)    .759 (239-76, 12 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 (471-82, 18 yrs.)*
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .835 (670-132, 24 yrs.)*
3. Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn)    .824 (412-88, 21 yrs.)
4. Adolph Rupp (Kentucky)    .822 (876-190, 41 yrs.)
5. Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma)    .819 (258-57, 11 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 (347-84, 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)    .794 (359-93, 15 yrs.)*
12. Dave Robbins (Virginia Union)    .786 (713-194, 30 yrs.)
13. Jerry Tarkanian (LBSU/UNLV/Fresno St.)    .784 (729-201, 31 yrs.)
14. Francis Schmidt (Tulsa/Arkansas/TCU)    .782 (258-72, 17 yrs.)
15. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .781 (379-106, 17 yrs.)
* - active head coaches
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

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 347. 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 207-60 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 1/2/23)
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)    347*
7.    Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    337
8.    Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    312*
9.    Willard Sims (Truman State)    310
10.    A.J. McDonald (Missouri St.)    302
* - active head coaches

MIAA Regular Season Victories Only (as of 1/2/23)
Bob Chipman (Washburn)    352
Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)    281
Robert Corn (Mo. Southern)    234
Steve Tappmeyer (Northwest)    213
Ben McCollum (Northwest)    207*
Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    193*
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

BEARCATS IN THE NABC POLL
Northwest has been ranked in the NABC Top 25 poll in 106 straight weeks - the longest active streak among NCAA Div. II schools.
    Northwest has been ranked in the NABC Top 25 poll 216 times in this history of its program.
    
Consecutive weeks ranked in NABC Top 25
149, West Liberty (2/2/2010-12/10/2019)
106, Northwest Missouri State (1/26/2016-1/3/2023)
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
216, 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
137, 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
121, 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

BEARCATS IN HOME OPENERS
Northwest moved to 12-2 in home-opening games under head coach Ben McCollum. Northwest has won eight consecutive home-opening games at Bearcat Arena.

Home Openers Under McCollum
W, 105-55 vs. Manhattan Christ. (11/16/09)
L, 72-67 vs. SW Minn. St. (11/14/10)
W, 74-43 vs. Waldorf (11/15/11)
W, 86-65 vs. Graceland (11/11/12)
W, 96-50 vs. Baker (11/20/13)
L, 75-66 vs. MSU Moorhead (11/14/14)
W, 83-72 vs. Central Methodist (11/24/15)
W, 82-71 vs. Augustana (11/17/16)
W, 69-58 vs. MSU Denver (11/17/17)
W, 87-60 vs. Truman State (11/16/18)
W, 92-40 vs. Saint Mary, Kan. (11/14/19)
W, 74-67 vs. Central Missouri (12/3/20)
W, 86-76 vs. Truman State (11/23/21)
W, 92-47 vs. Truman State (11/20/22)

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 TIED FOR NATION'S TOP WIN STREAK 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 - 12 (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)

FOR OPENERS
Northwest has produced a 11-3 mark in season openers for head coach Ben McCollum.
    The Bearcats have won their last seven season openers.

Season Openers Since 2009-10
W, 78-62 vs. West Texas A&M (11/5/22)
W, 68-55 vs. Northern St. (11/6/21)
W, 86-78 at Rogers State (11/21/20)
W, 85-65 vs. Daemen (11/1/19)
W, 72-70 OT vs. Northern St. (11/3/18)
W, 89-65 vs. Upper Iowa (11/10/17)
W, 87-52 vs. Upper Iowa (11/11/16)
L, 76-72 vs. Upper Iowa (11/13/15)
L, 75-66 vs. MSU-Moorhead (11/14/14)
W, 91-78 vs. Upper Iowa (11/9/13)
W, 86-65 vs. Graceland (11/11/12)
W, 66-62 at UMKC (11/11/11)
L, 72-67 vs. SW Minn. St. (11/14/10)
W, 105-55 vs. Manhattan Christian (11/16/09)

NORTHWEST TALLIES LEAGUE-BEST 22ND MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLE
Northwest captured its ninth straight MIAA regular season title and a league-record 22nd overall crown.

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 nine seasons, Northwest has compiled a league mark of 163-20.
    Over the last six seasons in MIAA play, Northwest has a record of 113-10 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    3-0
Totals    163-20

NINE LOSSES IN 153 GAMES FOR BEARCATS
Northwest has dropped only nine games in its last 153 contests.
    Northwest has lost by double digits only five times 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)
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)

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

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.