D2CCA Tip-Off Classic - Saturday, Nov. 2
Northwest Missouri State vs No. 5 Ashland
St. Joseph, Mo. | Civic Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN

D2CCA Tip-Off Classic - Sunday, Nov. 3 | 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs No. 2 Texas Woman's
St. Joseph, Mo. | Civic Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN

BEARCATS OPEN 2024-25 CAMPAIGN AT D2CCA TIP-OFF CLASSIC IN ST. JOSEPH
After an historic 23-win season, the Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team is gearing up to begin its 2024-25 campaign at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, hosted at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo. The Bearcats will face the No. 5-ranked Ashland Eagles in their season opener on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 3:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against the 2023-24 national runner-up, No. 2-ranked Texas Woman's Pioneers, on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m.

OFFICIAL GAME SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
11:30 AM | Central Missouri vs. No. 22 Southern Nazarene
1:30 PM | No. 13 Pittsburg State vs. No. 15 Ferris State
3:30 PM | Northwest Missouri vs. No. 5 Ashland  
5:30 PM | Missouri Southern vs. No. 2 Texas Woman's

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
11:30 AM | No. 13 Pittsburg State vs. No. 22 Southern Nazarene
1:30 PM | Central Missouri vs. No. 15 Ferris State
3:30 PM | Missouri Southern vs. No. 5 Ashland  
5:30 PM | Northwest Missouri vs. No. 2 Texas Woman's
(All Game Times Are Listed In Central Time)

CATCH THE ACTION
Fans can purchase tickets at the Civic Arena box office or online at themiaa.com/tickets. 

Watch all games live, exclusively on themiaanetwork.com.

The Bearcats and Eagles will meet for the first time in history this Saturday. Ashland finished last season with an impressive 31-2 record but fell to Ferris State, 64-59, in the semifinal round of the NCAA Midwest Regional.

NORTHWEST VS. TEXAS WOMAN'S
Texas Woman's University (TWU) will face a familiar MIAA opponent, Missouri Southern, on Saturday before taking on Northwest on Sunday. The Pioneers were the 2023 national runner-ups, finishing their season with an impressive 34-5 overall record.

ALL-TIME VS. TWU
Northwest holds a perfect 4-0 all-time record against TWU, with all matchups played at neutral sites. The two teams last faced each other on Nov. 24, 2012, where the Bearcats secured a 63-40 victory.

Northwest vs. Texas Woman's Series
11/24/12 - W, 63-40 (N)
3/11/11 - W, 92-73 (N)
12/8/96 - W, 79-73 OT (N)
1/3/89 - W, 72-61 (N)

MEYER AND COMPANY IN NEUTRAL SITE GAMES
With Meyer at the helm, the Bearcats have produced a 16-10 overall record at neutral site games. 

Graduate student's Molly Hartnett and Caely Kesten return for their final seasons with the Bearcat women's basketball program. Hartnett led the Bearcats in scoring last season with 389 points, as Kesten was the second-leading scorer with 382. 

With 389 points last season, Hartnett passed up Mandi Schumacher (2005-08) in career points with 1,435 points in her Bearcat career. 

Northwest Career Points
1. Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 2,121
2. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 1,538
3. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 1,511
4. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 1,489
5. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 1,471
6. Laura Friederich, 2003-06 - 1,449
7. Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 1,446
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 1,445
9. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 1,435
10. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 1,411

Hartnett has tied Tanya Meyer in career free-throw percentage (84.4) to rank Tied for No. 2 in Bearcat history. 

Northwest's Career FT%
1. Kendey Eaton, 2018-20 - 91.2
2. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 84.4
    Tanya Meyer, 2015-18 - 84.4
4. Jaelyn Haggard, 2017-21 - 82.8
5. Tember Schechinger, 2013-16 - 82.1
6. Kim Scamman, 1980-84 - 80.9
7. Meridee Scott, 2010-14 - 80.7
8. Abby Henry, 2009-12 - 78.9
9. Jessica Burton, 2005-09 - 77.3
10. Lauren Williams, 2005-08 - 77.2
11. Marla Sapp, 1981-85 - 76.6

Hartnett has dished out 325 assists to rank sixth in Northwest's career assists list. 

Northwest's Assist's 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. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. 325
7 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
9. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
10. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287

HARTNETT BECOMES THIRD BEARCAT IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH 1,400pts/300ast
Adding on to Hartnett's career at Northwest,  she became just the third player in Bearcat history to reach the 1,400 points/300ast mark during last years' campaign. She joins Janet Clark (2,121 & 320) and Marla Sapp (1,445 & 302). 

BEARCATS WELCOME EIGHT NEWCOMERS TO 2024-25 SQUAD
Northwest added seven freshmen and one transfer to the 2024-25 roster.

Freshman
- Guard | #1 Brooklyn Stanley | Sioux City, Iowa
- Guard | # 12 Aliyah Al-Hameed | Waukee, Iowa
- Guard | #22 Aaliyah Riley | Des Moines, Iowa
- Guard | #23 Kenzie Melcher | Omaha, Neb. 
- Forward | #32 Sadie Maas | Waukee, Iowa
- Forward | #33 Avery Yosten | Norfolk, Neb, 
- Forward | #34 Maggie Collins | Conception, Mo. 
Transfer
- Forward | #14 Emree Zars | Shawnee, Kan. 

ADDITION OF COACH TUCKER
Head coach Austin Meyer announced the addition of assistant coach Daryle Tucker to the Bearcat staff in June. Tucker previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Before that, he served as the head men's basketball coach at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, for three seasons, and later at Northland College.

Tucker replaces former Bearcat assistant coach Chris Guess, who accepted a position as an assistant coach at the University of South Dakota.

KELDERMAN FOR THREE
Senior Guard Peyton Kelderman remains at No. 6 in program history in career three-pointers (142). Last season, Kelderman averaged 4.5 points per game, while knocking down 38 three-point shots. 

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. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    142
7. Mallory McAndrews (2015-19)    139
8. Tanya Meyer (2014-18)    132
9. Katie O'Grady, (2004-07)    125
10. Ashleigh Nelson (2011-2014)    121
11. Lauren Williams (2015-08)    106

SHARPSHOOTING 'CATS
Northwest ranked No. 3 in the MIAA in three-pointers made last season with 6.8 per contest. The Bearcats also put up the fourth-most three-point attempts at 21.6 per game. 

DEFENSIVE MINDED
The Bearcats were third in the MIAA last season in scoring defense (59.4), which sat No. 51 across Division II. 

50 BELOW = W
Under Meyer, Northwest boasts an impressive 18-1 record when limiting opponents to under 50 points. Last season, the Bearcats successfully held six opponents below that threshold.

W, 71-47 vs. William Woods (11/25/23)
W, 55-48 (OT) vs. Emporia State (12/16/23)
W, 63-42 at Rogers State (1/6/24)
W, 79-49 vs. Newman (1/20/24)
W, 62-50 at Washburn (2/10/24)
W, 59-41 vs. Rogers State (2/15/24)

20-WIN SEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2010-11
The Bearcats achieved the 20-win milestone for the ninth time in program history, marking their first such season since 2010-11.

1974-75 (21-7)            2003-04 (24-7)
1975-76 (20-8)            2010-11 (29-5)
1977-78 (20-8)            2023-24 (23-8)
1979-80 (20-11)
1983-84 (25-5)
1989-90 (20-10)

SECOND-MOST MIAA WINS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Northwest's 16 conference wins last season rank as the second-most in program history, only bested by the 2010-11 team that went 18-4 and won the regular season MIAA crown and finishing with a Final-four birth. 

FIVE OUT OF SEVEN SEASONS FOR MEYER
Head Coach Austin Meyer took the reigns of the Bearcat program during the 2018-19 season and has been to the MIAA Championships five-out-of-seven times in his tenure. Meyer has accumulated a record of 3-4 all-time record.

Last season, Northwest earned the No. 2 seed at the MIAA Championships, which is the highest seed that Northwest has gotten during the Meyer era.

MEYER TAKES BEARCATS TO NCAA TOURNEY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011
During the remarkable 2023-24 season, head coach Austin Meyer brought the Bearcats to their first NCAA Div. II Tournament appearance since 2011. 

Northwest's NCAA Tournament Games
2024 - Fort Hays State 62, Northwest 47

2011 - Northwest 92, Texas Women's 73
           Northwest 77, Tarleton State 61
           Northwest 82, Central Oklahoma 70
           Northwest 78, Cal Poly Pomona 65
           Michigan Tech 89, Northwest 78

2008 - Northwest 72, West Texas A&M 71 (OT)
           Emporia State 83, Northwest 71
2007 - West Texas A&M 87, Northwest 72
2004 - Washburn 65, Northwest 64
1990 - West Texas A&M 62, Northwest 48
1984 - Northwest 81, Lewis 63
           Dayton 97, Northwest 69

TOP FIVE RETURNING SCORERS
Molly Hartnett - 12.5 PPG
Caely Kesten - 12.3 PPG
Lindsey Kelderman - 7.7 PPG
Kelsey Fields - 7.7 PPG
Laini Joseph - 7.3 PPG

CAREER DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 67
Caely Kesten - 28
Peyton Kelderman - 27
Kelsey Fields - 17
Lindsey Kelderman - 17
Evelyn Vazquez - 7
Laini Joseph - 6
Ella Moody - 2

CAREER 20-POINT SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 18
Caely Kesten - 4
Kelsey Fields - 2
Lindsey Kelderman - 1
Peyton Kelderman - 1

ACTIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES LIST
Senior Kelsey Fields has tallied 10 double-doubles in her Bearcat career, as Molly Hartnett has four. 

Kelsey Fields - 10
Molly Hartnett - 4

MIAA TEAM STATISTICS
 Last season, the Bearcats averaged 66.3 points per game. On the other side of the ball, Northwest held opponents to 59.4 points per game. Northwest shot 72.4 percent from the free-throw line.

RECEIVED VOTES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011
Northwest received votes early in the season last year, remaining on the brink of breaking into the top 25 for five consecutive weeks.

Northwest WBB Div. II Top 25 History
- Jan. 25, 1998 - RV (9)
- Feb. 1, 1998 - RV (5)
- Dec. 9, 2003 - RV (8)
- Dec. 16, 2003 - RV (4)
- Jan. 6, 2004 - RV (6)
- Jan. 13, 2004 - RV (17)
- Jan. 20, 2004 - RV (34)
- *Jan. 28, 2004 - 22
- *Feb. 3, 2004 - 17
- *Feb. 10, 2004 - 19
- *Feb. 17, 2004 - 17
- *Feb. 24, 2004 - 21
 - *March 15, 2004 - 18
*March 30, 2004 - 20
- Nov. 10, 2004 - RV (70)
- Dec. 7, 2004 - RV (4)
- Feb. 8, 2005 - RV (5)
- April 1, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 5, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 25, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 30, 2010 - RV (3)
- Dec. 7, 2010 - RV (2)
- Dec. 14, 2010 - RV (4)
- Jan. 4, 2011 - RV (1)
- Jan. 11, 2011 - RV (7)
- Jan. 18, 2011 - RV (19)
- *Jan. 25, 2011 - T23
- *Feb. 1, 2011 - 24
- *Feb. 8, 2011 - 22
- *Feb. 15, 2011 - 20
- *Feb. 22, 2011 - 18
-* March 1, 2011 - 22
- *March 8, 2011 - 19
- *March 29, 2011 - 4
- *Nov. 1, 2011 - 15
- Nov. 22, 2011 - RV (22)
- Dec. 13, 2011 - RV (12)
- Dec. 5, 2023 - RV (13)
- Dec. 12, 2023 - RV (12)
- Jan. 2, 2024 - RV (13)
- Jan. 9, 2024 - RV (15)
- Feb. 20, 2024 - RV (6)

EXHIBITION GAME VS. LIVIN' THE DREAM
On Monday night, the Northwest hosted an exhibition contest against Livin' the Dream at Bearcat Arena. 

Northwest secured a 71-67 victory over Livin' the Dream, behin Caely Kesten's 14 points and six rebounds. Freshmen Aaliyah Riley and Avery Yosten add 10 points to the win. 

A familiar face was back on the court for the game, as former Bearcat Zoie Hayward suited up for Livin' the Dream. Hayward recorded two points, three rebounds, and two assits in her return to Bearcat Arena. 

The Bearcats recorded 32 points in the paint, as on the defensive side of the ball, they forced 22 turnovers. 

TABBED THIRD IN MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
Following a 23-win season--fourth-most in program history-- and its first NCAA Division II tournament appearance since 2011, the Bearcats were picked to finish third in the MIAA for teh 2024-25 season, in both the coaches' and media polls. 

The Bearcats earned two first-place votes from MIAA coaches and one vote from the media. 

2024-25 MIAA Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Pittsburg State (10) - 164 points
2. Fort Hays State (2) - 152 points
3. Northwest Missouri State (2) - 142 points
4. Missouri Southern - 137 points
5. Central Missouri - 124 points
6. Nebraska Kearney - 97 points
7. Missouri Western - 89 points
8. Emporia State - 86 points
9. Northeastern State - 80 points
10. Washburn - 68 points
11. Central Oklahoma - 50 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith - 39 points
13. Rogers State - 29 points
14. Newman - 17 points
(#) - Number of First-Place Votes

Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2024-25 MIAA Women's Preseason Media Poll
1. Fort Hays State (9) - 246 points
2. Pittsburg State (5) - 231 points
3. Northwest Missouri State (1) - 225 points
4. Missouri Southern (1) - 206 points
5. Missouri Western (2) - 192 points
6. Central Missouri (1) - 174 points
7. Emporia State - 139 points
8. Nebraska Kearney - 129 points
9. Washburn - 107 points
10. Northeastern State - 101 points
11. Central Oklahoma - 84 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith - 74 points
13. Rogers State - 66 points
14. Newman - 21 points
(#) - Number of First-Place Votes


TUESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE AT PIZZA RANCH
Northwest Head Coach Austin Meyer will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 2 p.m. for a press conference at your local Maryville Pizza Ranch. 

2024-25 WBCA Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll
1. Minnesota State Mankato (20)
2. Texas Woman's (1)
3. Grand Valley State (2)
4. Tampa
5. Ashland
6. Montana State Billings
7. Fairmont State
8. Union, TN
9. Bentley
10. Fayetteville State
11. Gannon
12. Thomas Jefferson
13. Pittsburg State
14. Carson-Newman
15. Ferris State
16. Nova Southeastern
17. Georgia Southwestern
18. Azusa Pacific
19. Cal Poly Pomona
20. Assumption
21. Colorado Mesa
22. Southern Nazarene
23. Fort Hays State
24. Columbus State
25. Valdosta State

(#) - Number of First-Place Votes