Thursday, Feb. 23
Northwest Missouri State vs. Central Oklahoma
5:30 p.m. | Bearcat Arena
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
 
Saturday, Feb. 25
Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Southern (Senior Day)
1:30 p.m. | Bearcat Arena
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
 
The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team will host its final two games of the regular season Thursday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 25. The Bearcats will face Central Oklahoma Thursday and Missouri Southern Saturday. Saturday's game against Missouri Southern will be Senior Day for Northwest where Paityn Rau will be celebrated for her career as a Bearcat.
 
Northwest comes into the matchups with an overall record of 13-13 and a MIAA record of 8-12.
 
Central Oklahoma currently has an overall record of 10-14 and a conference record of 7-13.
 
Missouri Southern is 22-6 overall and 14-6 in conference play.
 
About Northwest
In 26 games played this season, Northwest is averaging 61.3 points per game. Northwest has the fifth best defense in the conference as its opponents average 59.7 points per game. The Bearcats are shooting 39.0% from the field, 31.2% from beyond the arc, and 69.9% from the free throw line.
 
Northwest defeated UCO earlier this season in Edmond, Okla., by a score of 72-68. Missouri Southern defeated the Bearcats, 52-37, earlier this season in Joplin, Mo.
 
The Bearcats are currently 8th in the MIAA standings with a conference record of 8-12. Northwest is sixth in the league in defense allowing 60.6 points per game, and 11th in offense putting up 61.3 points per game.
 
 
About Central Oklahoma
The Bearcats have an 8-7 advantage in the all-time series against UCO. Northwest has won five of the past six meetings between the teams, and beat them once already this season in Edmond, Okla., by a score of 72-68. In that win Northwest hit four three-pointers, all of which came from Redshirt Freshman Lindsey Kelderman. Kelderman also set her career-high in points with 14. 
 
Central Oklahoma is currently on a three-game win streak with wins against Washburn, Rogers State, and Northeastern State.
 
The Bronchos have the fifth best offense in the conference at 69.2 points per game but have the second worst defense in the MIAA giving up 73.0 points per game.
 
About Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern holds a 36-28 advantage in the all-time series when playing Northwest. The Bearcats won three straight against the Lions from Feb 2, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022, but Missouri Southern has since then won the last two meetings.
 
The last two matchups have been low scoring affairs with the contest earlier this season Dec. 1, 2022, ending with a score of 52-37 in favor of the Lions. The game prior to that ended with a score of 56-49, also in favor of the Lions.
 
Missouri Southern is No. 5 in the MIAA as of this past weekend. The Lions have been floating in and out of the WBCA Top-25 Coaches Poll all season.
 
Missouri Southern was on a nine-game win streak, but since then the Lions have dropped two of their last three. MSSU has the No. 10 offense in the MIAA at 62.5 points per game and has the No. 11 defense in the conference allowing 68.3 points per game.
 
The Lions have the 5th leading scorer in the MIAA with Lacy Stokes at 16.0 ppg. Stokes was named the MIAA freshman of the year as well as the MIAA defensive player of the year during the 2021-22 season. She is currently 3rd in the conference in steals per game at 2.7 and has tallied 76 steals total.
 
LAST WEEK
Northwest lost an overtime battle at Washburn last Tuesday night by a score of 62-59. It was the third straight contest between the teams that went into overtime. Saturday afternoon the Bearcats traveled to St. Joe to take on Missouri Western. The Griffons got the season sweep as they beat Northwest 75-59.
 
HARTNETT STAYING STRONG OFFENSIVELY
Sophomore guard Molly Hartnett is averaging 13.6 ppg so far this season. She is currently No. 12 in the MIAA in points per game. This is the third straight season Hartnett has averaged double figures in the scoring column. Hartnett scored a season high 24 points against Northeastern State.
 
She ranks No. 7 in Div. II in free throw percentage at 90.8%. Hartnett is No. 1 in the MIAA in free throw percentage as she has made 89-of-98 attempts.
 
Hartnett has handed out a team-high 79 assists on the year. She has dished out five or more assists in six games so far this season. She surpassed 200 career assists in the win at RSU Feb. 9.
 
POST EFFICIENCY FROM EIMAN
In the last nine games Lauren Eiman has played in, she is shooting 62.9% from the field making 17-of-27 shot attempts. Eiman went 6-for-7 at Newman where she had a career-high 12 points.
 
FIELDS SETTING CAREER-HIGHS
Kelsey Fields had a career-high 18 boards in Northwest's game against Northeastern State Feb. 11. On Jan. 21 when Northwest played Lincoln, Fields had 20 points and 16 rebounds. The last time a Northwest player had a 20 point 15 rebound game was Tanya Meyer back in the 2017-18 season. Meyer had 21 points and 18 rebounds against Henderson State Nov. 11, 2017.
 
PK FOR THREE
Sophomore guard Peyton Kelderman has knocked in at least one three-pointer in 18 of Northwest's 26 games this season. She has sank a team-best 45 three-pointers and is shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc. Kelderman is No. 12 in the MIAA in three-pointers made per game (1.7).
 
Kelderman tied her career-high in three-pointers made in a game with five against Northeastern State Feb. 11.
 
VAZQUEZ RACKING UP STEALS
Sophomore guard Evelyn Vazquez had 26 steals during the 2021-22 season. Vazquez has 39 steals so far this season. Vazquez had a season-high seven steals in a 75-61 win against Peru State Nov. 27, 2022. She ranks No. 6 in the MIAA in steals as she averages 2.1 per game.
             
FIELDS ON THE GLASS
So far this season, Kelsey Fields has grabbed 248 rebounds. She is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game. Fields needs 3 more to make it in the Northwest record book for rebounds in a season (251 ties her for 10th).
 
GREEN SETS SEASON HIGH IN O-BOARDS
Jayna Green has set a new personal season-high for offensive rebounds in a season with 42. Green had 29 during the 2020-21 season.
 
ATWOOD GETTING GOING
Emma Atwood has posted 10 or more points in three of the last five games for the Bearcats. Atwood is averaging 8.2 points in those games and has gone 13-for-14 from the free throw line as well.
 
KESTEN ON OFFENSE
In the last six games for Northwest, Caely Kesten is averaging 12.6 points per contest. In those three games, she is shooting 53.8% from beyond the arc making 7-of-13 attempts.
 
HARTNETT JOINS 1,000 POINT CLUB
Sophomore guard Molly Hartnett recorded her 1,000th career point in a Bearcat uniform this past Saturday at Missouri Western. She became the 29th Bearcat to reach this milestone. The most recent women's basketball player to reach this mark prior to Hartnett was Mallory McConkey Jan. 27, 2022.
 
NORTHWEST IN MIAA STATISTICAL CATEGORIES
Rebounding:
Kelsey Fields ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in rebounding. Fields averages 9.5 rebounds per game and leads the conference with 94 offensive rebounds.
Free Throws:
Molly Hartnett ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in free-throw percentage (90.8%), draining 89-of-98 attempts.
Three-pointers:
Peyton Kelderman is No. 12 in three-pointers made per
game (1.7).
Steals:
Evelyn Vazquez is No. 6 in the MIAA in steals with 2.1 per
game and 36 total steals.
Blocks:
Jayna Green ranks No. 7 in blocks with 1.1 per game.
Assists:
Molly Hartnett is No. 6 in assist to turnover ratio (1.8).
Scoring:
Molly Hartnett ranks No. 12 in points per game at 13.6.
 
KELDERMAN CLOSES IN ON 3-POINT CHART
Sophomore shooting guard Peyton Kelderman has drained 102 three-pointers so far in her Bearcat career. Kelderman had 57 made three's last season and has 45 makes so far this season. She needs just 4 more to tie her for tenth place on the career record list.
 
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, 2005-08 – 106
 
HARTNETT NEARING CAREER ASSIST RECORD LIST
Sophomore Molly Hartnett surpassed 200 career assists in a win at Rogers State Feb. 9. Hartnett now has 212 career assists and is 42 away from tying the No. 10 spot in the record book for assists in a career at 254.
 
Assists in a Career
1. Pam Cummings, 1995-98 - 822
2. Sandy (Cummings) Nelson, 1987-90 - 598
3. Kim Scamman, 1983-86 - 554
4. Julie Schmitz, 1976-79 - 454
5. Monica Booth, 1980-83 - 378
6 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
7. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
8. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
9. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287
10. Lisa Kenkel, 1990-92 – 254
 
GREEN SURPASSES 500 CAREER REBOUNDS
Jayna Green recorded her 500th career rebound at Northeastern State Feb. 11. She now has 510 career rebounds as a Bearcat.
 
GREEN SETS CAREER BLOCK RECORD AT NORTHWEST
Junior Jayna Green entered into Northwest's top-10 all-time shot blockers last season. She registered 29 blocks as a freshman before notching 33 in 2020-21. Green blocked 43 shots last season, which was good for the No. 3 spot in the MIAA. In Northwest's game at Newman, Green recorded her 123rd career block to make her the all-time block leader in school history.
 
Blocked Shots in a Career
1. Jayna Green, 2019-pres - 134
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
7. Jenna Wolfe, 2001-04 - 94
8. Tember Schechinger, 2013-16 - 85
9. Lori Schneider, 1986-89 - 83
10. Danae Wagner, 1987-90 - 58
 
TOP FIVE SCORERS THIS SEASON
Molly Hartnett - 13.6 ppg
Kelsey Fields - 7.5 ppg
Peyton Kelderman - 6.8 ppg
Ella Moody - 6.1 ppg
Evelyn Vazquez - 5.9 ppg
 
Double-Digit Scoring Performances This Season
Molly Hartnett – 19
Peyton Kelderman – 9
Kelsey Fields – 6
Evelyn Vazquez – 4
Emma Atwood – 4
Caely Kesten - 4
Jayna Green – 2
Lindsey Kelderman - 2
Ella Moody - 2
Jillian Fleming – 1
Lauren Gillig - 1
Lauren Eiman - 1
 
Career Double-Digit Scoring Performances
Molly Hartnett - 50
Peyton Kelderman - 22
Paityn Rau - 13
Jayna Green - 9
Kelsey Fields - 8
Emma Atwood - 7
Evelyn Vazquez - 6
Jillian Fleming - 5
Caely Kesten - 5
Lindsey Kelderman - 2
Ella Moody - 2
Lauren Eiman - 1
Lauren Gillig - 1
 
Career 20-point Scoring Performances
Molly Hartnett – 11
Jayna Green – 1
Kelsey Fields – 1
 
Northwest's Top Returning Scorers
Molly Hartnett - 1,002 pts.
Jayna Green - 494 pts.
Peyton Kelderman - 426 pts.
Kelsey Fields - 325 pts.
Paityn Rau - 308 pts.
Caely Kesten - 268 pts.
Jillian Fleming - 260 pts.
Evelyn Vazquez - 259 pts.
Emma Atwood - 202 pts.
 
ATWOOD RETURNS/LINDSEY GETS THE START
Before Emma Atwood returned to the court or Lindsey Kelderman came into the starting lineup, Northwest was 7-7 overall and 2-6 in conference action. The Bearcats were averaging 59.8 points per game, shooting 38.8% from the field, and shooting 30.1% from three.
 
In the first six games after Atwood returned and Lindsey got her first start, which came on the same day, the Bearcats went 3-3, averaged 65.3 points per game, the team shot 44.7% from the field and 32.1% from three. In the three losses, two came against ranked opponents and all three losses were by just one point, (No. 5 Central Missouri...68-67, No. 13 Nebraska-Kearney...66-65, Fort Hays...50-49).
 
In Atwood's first game back against UCO she recorded a career-high 11 rebounds and led the team with four assists, two steals, and a block. It was Lindsey Kelderman's first start, and she also had a career-high night with 14 points while going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. Northwest defeated UCO, 72-68.
 
MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
The Bearcat women were picked sixth in the media poll and seventh in the coaches poll.
 
2022-21 MIAA Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Missouri Southern [6] – 159 points
2. Fort Hays State [3] – 151
3. Nebraska Kearney [2] – 144 Points
4. Missouri Western [3] – 139 Points
5. Central Missouri – 127 Points
6. Emporia State – 106 Points
7. Northwest Missouri – 100 Points
8. Pittsburg State – 85 Points
9. Central Oklahoma – 74 Points
10. Washburn – 62 Points
11. Rogers State – 50 Points
12. Northeastern State – 31 Points
13. Newman – 28 Points
14. Lincoln – 18 Points
 
2022-23 MIAA Women's Basketball Media Poll
1. Missouri Southern [13] – 249 Points
2. Fort Hays State [4] – 234 Points
3. Central Missouri [3] – 218 Points
4. Nebraska Kearney – 216 Points
5. Missouri Western – 211 Points
6. Northwest Missouri – 164 Points
7. Emporia State – 145 Points
8. Pittsburg State – 129 Points
9. Central Oklahoma – 127 Points
10. Washburn – 108 Points
11. Rogers State – 74 Points
12. Northeastern State – 57 Points
T13. Lincoln – 31 Points
T13. Newman – 31 Points