Friday, Nov. 10
Northwest Missouri State at. Southwest Minnesota St. 
Marshall, Minn. | 5 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 11
Northwest Missouri State vs. Minnesota-Crookston
Marshall, Minn. | 5 p.m.
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BEARCATS OPEN SEASON AT SMSU CLASSIC
The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team will open up its 2023-24 season at the SMSU Classic in Marshall, Minn. The Bearcats will take on Southwest Minnesota State (Friday, 5 p.m.) and Minnesota Crookston (Saturday, 5 p.m.).

NORTHWEST VS. SW MINN. STATE
    Northwest holds the all-time series record against SW Minn. State, 3-2. Northwest won its previous matchup last year, 95-86, on Nov. 11.
    This marks the third straight season Northwest has opened up with a matchup against Southwest Minnesota State.

11/12/21 - L, 64-48 vs. Southwest Minn. State
11/11/22 - W, 95-86 vs. Southwest Minn. State

NORTHWEST VS. MINNESOTA-CROOKSTON
Northwest holds a 3-1 record over Minnesota-Crookston. In their previous matchup coming last year, Northwest came away with the 70-58 win. Northwest  has won the last two matchups against the Eagles.

11/13/21 - W, 53-48
11/12/22 - W, 70-58

PPG TRENDING UPWARDS
Throughout the past three seasons, Northwest has been able to score the ball more efficiently in the points per-game category.

2020-21 Season - 59.8 PPG
2021-22 Season - 59.6 PPG
2022-23 Season - 62.0 PPG

ADDITION OF ASST. COACH CHRIS GUESS
Chris Guess comes into his first season with the Bearcats. Guess was a long-time Iowa high school hall of famer. Guess spent the last 32 years as a high school coach in the state of Iowa. Guess was a National Coach of the Year Finalist in 2022.

YOUTH ON THE ROSTER
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Bearcats come in with only two seniors this year. Underclassmen in the past couple seasons have made an impact on the team and that doesn't stop this season. This year's squad features two seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, one redshirt freshman, and one lone freshman.

HARTNETT LEADING THE WAY
Junior guard Molly Harnett comes in as the top returning scorer from last year's squad providing 398 points and 13.3 PPG. Harnett was also the leading provider in assists with 91 last season, which ranked 14th in the MIAA. Harnett shot a total of 108 free throws in the 2022-23 season making 98 of those for 90%. Molly holds the third best mark in Bearcat history in attempted free throws in a single game (18), coming against UCO last season. Hartnett is also a part of the 1,000 point club.

THE KELDERMAN'S THREE BALL
Lindsey and Peyton Kelderman come back for their second and third seasons with the Bearcat program. Last season, the Kelderman duo combined for 79 three point field goals. Peyton has made 104 3-pointers entering this season.

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. Lauren Williams (2015-08)    106
11. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    104

GREEN LOOKS TO ADD BLOCK TOTAL IN 2023-24 SEASON
The 6'0 senior took the top spot in Bearcat history in blocked shots last season and is looking to add more this season. Green had 35 blocked shots last season.
Northwest's Blocked Shots in a Career
1. Jayna Green (2019-pres.)    140
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

Northwest MIAA Win Totals
2011-12     4
2012-13    8
2013-14    7
2014-15    4
2015-16    3
2016-17    4
2017-18    4
2018-19    4
2019-20    6
2020-21    7
2021-22    12
2022-23    9

TOP RETURNING SCORERS
1. Molly Hartnett - 1046
2. Jayna Green - 524
3. Peyton Kelderman - 439
4. Kelsey Fields - 352
5. Caely Kesten - 316
6. Jillian Fleming - 269
7. Evelyn Vasquez - 261
8. Emma Atwood - 243
9. Ella Moody - 142
10. Lindsey Kelderman - 140
11. Kendall Clatt - 1

DEFENSE IS KEY
In the 2022-23 season, Northwest held conference opponents to 60.2 points per game, which ranked 4th in the MIAA. Previously in the 2021-22 season, Northwest ranked 2nd in the MIAA, holding opponents to 56.7 points per game.
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 into 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. Nebrask-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