Thursday, Nov. 30
Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Southern
Maryville, Mo. (Bearcat Arena) | 5:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS | WATCH | LISTEN | TICKETS

Saturday, Dec. 2
Northwest Missouri State vs. Pittsburg State
Maryville, Mo. (Bearcat Arena) | 1:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS | WATCH | LISTEN | TICKETS


NORTHWEST VS. MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Northwest will kick off conference play against the Missouri Southern State Lions on Thursday, Nov. 30. Their last meeting came on Feb. 23, 2023 with Missouri Southern taking the 62-55 victory in Maryville.

Missouri Southern leads the all-time series 37-28. Northwest will look to end a three-game losing skid to the Lions.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Missouri Southern comes in to the contest 3-2 overall with its latest win coming last Saturday against Midwestern State, 90-49. Missouri Southern comes in to Thursday's match up ranked ninth in the MIAA in points-per-game (72.8).

The Lions have four players averaging double figures.

Kryslyn Jones: 13.2 PPG
Ryan Franklin: 12.6 PPG
Brandi Hudson: 11.2 PPG
Mia Topping: 10.2 PPG

NORTHWEST VS. PITTSBURG STATE
The Bearcats will have a day break in between match ups as they will play host to Pittsburg State onSaturday. Pittsburg State leads the all-time series 43-21 with the last match up coming Dec. 3, 2022.

SCOUTING THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State will come into this week 5-0 overall before a match up with Missouri Western on Thursday. Pittsburg State sits below the Bearcats in total scoring offense (79.2 PPG).The Gorillas have a trio of double-digit scorers. Grace Pyle sits fifth in the MIAA with 17.8 PPG with teammate Karenna Gerber sitting eighth averaging 15.2 PPG.

DEFENSE IS KEY
This season, Northwest has held opponents to 65.0 PPG which ranks ninth in the MIAA. Missouri Southern is giving up 68.4 PPG and Pittsburg State sits seventh holding opponents to 63.0 PPG.

Northwest sits fourth in the MIAA in both steals (10.4) and blocked shots (3.4).

THREE BEARCATS AVERAGING DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORING
Molly Hartnett - 14.8 PPG
Lindsey Kelderman - 11.0 PPG
Kelsey Fields - 10.0 PPG

Along with Kelsey Fields' 11 points-per-game, she is also averaging 9.8 rebounds which ranks third in the MIAA.

EYEING IN ON MIAA ACTION
Northwest sits fourth in the MIAA in scoring offense with 81.4 PPG, which is also 19th in the nation. With Fields leading the way in rebounding, Northwest pulls down 29.8 defensive rebounds a game which currently sits 27th in the nation and second in the MIAA. Fields sits at the top of the list in offensive boards (5.2 per game) in the MIAA, fifth nationally.

Northwest is ranked third in the MIAA in three-pointers made each game (8.0) which is ranked 39th in the nation.

Molly Harnett has been excellent from the free throw line so far this season. Hartnett's 91.7 percent from the free throw line is tied for first in the MIAA and 36th nationally. As a team, Northwest is ranked fourth in the MIAA and 52nd in the nation.

With Jayna Green's strong defensive performance against William Woods, she and Molly Hartnett sit fourth in the MIAA in steals (14). Green came away with seven steals in the victory over William Woods.

Lindsey Kelderman sits fourth in the MIAA in three-pointers made per contest (2.6).

Northwest's Three-Pointers in a Career
1. Jaelyn Haggard (2017-21)     256
2. Kelli Nelson (2005-08)    202
3. Shelly Martin (2008-10)    170
4. Laura Friederich (2003-06)    163
5. Brooke Hogue (2002-04)    143
6. Mallory McAndrews (2015-19)    139
7. Tanya Meyer (2014-18)    132
8. Katie O'Grady, (2004-07)    125
9. Ashleigh Nelson (2011-2014)    121
10. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    114

THE MEAN GREEN MACHINE
Northwest harps on in its defensive efforts in every match up and things go smoothly when Northwest has a 6'0" senior forward in Jayna Green. Green came away with a new career-high in steals (7) in the win against William Woods this last Saturday. Green also sits at the top of the list in Bearcat history in blocks in a career (146).

Northwest's Blocked Shots in a Career
1. Jayna Green (2019-pres.)    146
2. Sarah Vollertsen (2002-04)     122
3. Shelby Mustain (2014-16)    107
4. Maggie Marnin (2011-15)    100
5. Gentry Dietz (2009-11)    99
6. Kyla Roehrig (2010-11)    99
7. Jenna Wolfe (2001-04)    94
8. Tember Schechinger (2013-16)    85
9. Lori Schneider (1986-89)    83
10. Danae Wagner (1987-90)    58

BEARCATS PEGGED FOR 6TH, 7TH IN PRESEASON MIAA POLLS
Northwest has been pegged to finish sixth (media) and seventh (coaches) in the MIAA's preseason polls.
Head Coach Austin Meyer is entering his sixth season as the Bearcat women's basketball program. Meyer has helped guide the Bearcats to consecutive berths in to the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals.

WBB COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri (11) - 167 points
2. Missouri Western (3) - 153 points
3. Pittsburg State - 147 points
4. Fort Hays State - 131 points
5. Missouri Southern -116 points
6. Nebraska-Kearney - 111 points
7. Northwest Missouri - 100 points
8. Washburn - 76 points
T9. Central Oklahoma - 72 points
T9. Emporia State - 72 points
11. Northeastern State - 45 points
12. Lincoln - 41 points
13. Rogers State - 25 points
14. Newman - 18 points

WBB MEDIA POLL
1. Central Missouri (14) - 283 points
2. Missouri Western (3) - 266 points
3. Pittsburg State (1) - 245 points
4. Fort Hays State - 219 points
5. Nebraska-Kearney (3) - 218 points
6. Northwest Missouri - 191 points
7. Missouri Southern - 186 points
8. Emporia State - 149 points
9. Central Oklahoma - 132 points
10. Washburn - 114 points
11. Newman - 71 points
12. Lincoln - 62 points
13. Northeastern State - 53 points
14. Rogers State - 31 points

BEARCATS SIGN SIX RECRUITS TO 2024-25 CLASS

- Aliyah Al-Hameed         G          5-6       Waukee, Iowa/Waukee Northwest HS
- Maggie Collins           F          6-0       Barnard, Mo./Platte Valley HS
- Sadie Maas                 F          6-1       Waukee, Iowa/Waukee Northwest HS
- Kenzie Melcher         G         5-11     Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue West HS
- Brooklyn Stanley         G         5-11     Sioux City, Iowa/Bishop Heelan HS
- Aaliyah Riley               G         5-7       Johnston, Iowa/Johnston HS