Bearcat/Gorilla Classic - Thursday, Nov. 14 & Friday, Nov. 15
Northwest Missouri State vs. Rockhurst | 3 p.m.
Kansas City, Mo. | Municipal Auditorium
LIVE STATS | RADIO

Northwest Missouri State vs. Graceland | 3 p.m. 
Kansas City, Mo. | Municipal Auditorium
LIVE STATS | RADIO

BEARCATS CONTINUE NEUTRAL SITE NON-CONFERENCE ACTION AGAINST ROCKHURST, GRACELAND
The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team will continue its non-conference schedule this week against Rockhurst at 3 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 14, and Graceland at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. 

CATCH THE ACTION
There will be no stream for this weekend's contests, but live stats will be available at bearcatsports.com and radio will be broadcasted on KXCV (90.5 FM).

NORTHWEST VS. ROCKHURST  
Rockhurst (1-0) will soar into Thursday's contest with a 86-82 loss to Benedictine College (Kan.). Junior guard Macie Conway collected a game-high 21 points, knocking down four threes. Graduate guard Keegan Sullivan registered a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocks. 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE HAWKS
Northwest holds a 14-11 all-time record against Rockhurst. The last time the two teams squared off was on Nov. 18, 2023, resulting in a 80-57 victory for the Bearcats. Northwest has won the last two matchups.   

NORTHWEST VS. GRACELAND 
Graceland (2-1) will play Clarke (Iowa.) on Wednesday, Nov. 13 before heading to Kansas City, Mo. on Friday. Junior guard Maxine Ampofo leads the Yellow Jackets with 16.0 PPG, shooting 46.4% from the floor.  

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE YELLOW JACKETS
Friday's matchup with Graceland will be the time the two teams have seen each other since the 1980-81 season when Northwest captured a 103-75 victory.

INAUGURAL WIN AGAINST TOP-RANKED OPPONENT IN PROGRAM HISTORY 
Northwest made history on Saturday by defeating the reigning Division II national champions and top-ranked Minnesota State, 85-67, in its final game of the Central Region WBB Showcase. This victory marked Northwest's first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team in program history.

Northwest handed Minnesota State its first loss since Feb. 17, 2024, and its largest margin of defeat since Jan. 11, 2020, against Southwest Minnesota State. Northwest led for nearly 30 minutes of game time, keeping Minnesota State's only lead in the first half. 

FOUR GAMES, TWO TOP FIVE VICTORIES
The Bearcats have taken down two top five opponents in their first four games this season. 

W, 57-49 vs. No. 5 Ashland (11/2/24)
W, 85-67 vs. No. 1 Minnesota State (11/9/24)

FIRST TOP FIVE VICTORY SINCE 2009
Northwest defeated the No. 5-ranked Ashland Eagles it its first game of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic last weekend, 57-49, marking its first top five victory since a 88-76 win against No. 5 Emporia State in the 2009-10 season. 

The Bearcats are looking to grab their first-ever top-ranked win against Minnesota State on Saturday. 

FIELDS EARNS 12TH DOUBLE-DOUBLE VS. MSU MOORHEAD
Kelsey Fields secured her 12th career double-double performance on Nov. 8, in a 54-47 victory over MSU Moorhead. Fields piled up 14 points and 15 rebounds (seven offensive), and three blocks, asserting her dominance in the paint.    

DO-IT-ALL KESTEN
Caely Kesten ranks fourth in the MIAA in points per game (17 PPG), fourth in three-point percentage (54.8%), second in steals (9) -- No. 4 in Div. II, and tops the conference in three's made per game (4.25), which ranks No. 14 across Div. II. 

MEYER AND COMPANY IN NEUTRAL SITE GAMES
With Meyer at the helm, the Bearcats have produced a 19-11 overall record at neutral site games. 

SO FAR THIS SEASON...
Kesten leads the scoring for Northwest with 68 points, averaging 17 PPG through four contests. Kesten also leads the Bearcats with 17 three-pointers at a 58% clip, and swiping nine steals. 

Fields has secured 39 rebounds (19 offensive), to go along with 45 points (11.3 PPG). Hartnett has provided a team-best 14 assists, accumulating 35 points (8.8 PPG). 

SHARPSHOOTING 'CATS
The Bearcats are shooting 31 percent from long-range this season, providing the sixth-most three's per game (6.8). Northwest has converted on 36% of its shots from the floor, along with 66% from the charity stripe. 

HARTNETT, KESTEN RETURN FOR FINAL SEASON
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. 

Totaling 1,448 career points, Hartnett has passed up Laura Friederich (2003-06) to move up to sixth all-time in Bearcat history. 

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. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 1,470
7. Laura Friederich, 2003-06 - 1,449
8. Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 1,446
9. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 1,445
10. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 1,411

Hartnett has also passed Tanya Meyer in career free-throw percentage (84.6) to rank No. 2 in Bearcat history. 

Northwest's Career FT%
1. Kendey Eaton, 2018-20 - 91.2
2. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 84.6
3. 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 339 assists to rank sixth in Northwest's career assists list. 

Northwest's 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. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. 339
7 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
9. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
10. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287

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

Freshmen
- 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

FIELDS CRACKS TOP 10 IN CAREER REBOUNDS
After a heavy rebounding weekend, Kelsey Fields has risen three spots on Northwest's all-time rebound list to the No. 7 spot with 700 career rebounds. 

1. Julie Chadwick, 1978-81 - 1,006 
2. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 763
3. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 733
4. Kelly Leintz, 1985-88 - 710
5. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 706
6. Jodi Giles, 1979-82 - 702
7. Kelsey Fields, 2021-pres. 700
8. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 694
    Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 694
9. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 686

DEFENSIVE MINDED
The Bearcats ranked second in the MIAA in scoring defense, giving up just 55.3 points per game. Locking opposing shooters down, Northwest tops the MIAA in opponent three-point percentage at 20%. The Bearcats have also forced 13.25 turnovers per game. 

50 BELOW = W
Under Meyer, Northwest boasts an impressive 20-1 record when limiting opponents to under 50 points. Last season, the Bearcats successfully held six opponents below that threshold, along with No. 5 Ashland and MSU Moorhead this season. 

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)
W, 57-49 vs. No 5 Ashland (11/2/24)
W, 54-47 vs. MSU Moorhead (11/8/24)

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 berth. 

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 a 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

2004 - Washburn 65, Northwest 64

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 (2023-24 Season)
Molly Hartnett - 12.5 PPG
Caely Kesten - 12.3 PPG
Lindsey Kelderman - 7.7 PPG
Kesley Fields - 7.7 PPG
Laini Joseph - 7.3 PPG

CAREER DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 68
Caely Kesten - 32
Peyton Kelderman - 27
Kelsey Fields - 20
Lindsey Kelderman - 18
Evelyn Vazquez - 7
Laini Joseph - 6
Ella Moody - 2

CAREER 20-POINT SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 18
Caely Kesten - 6
Kelsey Fields - 2
Lindsey Kelderman - 1
Peyton Kelderman - 1

ACTIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES LIST
Senior Kelsey Fields has tallied 13 double-doubles in her Bearcat career, as Molly Hartnett has four. 

Kelsey Fields - 12
Molly Hartnett - 4

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). 

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 30, 2004 - 20
- *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)

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)

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

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

D2CSC CENTRAL REGION POLL
Rank            School (First-Place Votes) 
T1                Northwest Missouri State (2)    
T1                Pitt State (3)                             
3                  Minnesota State (1)                 
4                  Fort Hays State                       
5                  Concordia-St. Paul                   
6                  Southern Nazarene
7                  Missouri Western State
8                  Harding
9                  Southwest Minnesota State
T10              Nebraska Kearney
T10              Southwestern Oklahoma State

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.