Thursday, Dec. 19 | 11 a.m. (CT)
Northwest Missouri State vs. Colorado Mesa | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Rick Case Arena | Don Taft University Center
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN | TICKETS

Friday, Dec. 20 | 1 p.m. (CT)
Northwest Missouri State vs. Nova Southeastern | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Rick Case Arena | Don Taft University Center
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN | TICKETS

The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team will take a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the Nova Southeastern Holiday Invitational beginning Thursday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. (CT) against Colorado Mesa, followed by Nova Southeastern on Friday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. (CT) at Rick Case Arena. 

CATCH THE ACTION
Both games will be available on the SSC Digital Network, as live stats will be available on bearcatsports.com, and radio will be broadcast on KXCV/KRNW (90.5/88.5 FM).

SCOUTING THE MAVS
CMU comes off a split weekend with Regis University (L, 63-61) and Colorado School of Mines (W, 67-48), currerntly sitting at 6-3 on the season, 2-2 in the RMAC. The Mavs are led by a quartet of double-digit scorers in Olivia Reed (18.2 PPG), Mason Rowland (15.7 PPG), Riley Hayes (13.6 PPG) and Kylie Kravig (12.7 PPG). Hayes has knocked down a team-high 31triples, shooting it at 36.5%. 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE MAVS
Northwest and Colorado Mesa have only seen action back on Nov. 18, 2022, when the Bearcats came out on top 71-57, at the FHSU Tournament. 

SCOUTING THE SHARKS
Nova Southeastern (7-2, 2-1 SSC), dropped its most recent matchup with Barry University, 74-55, in the County-Line Cup. The Sharks are led by Graduate Aubrey Stupp, who's averaging 14.4 PPG. Stupp put up a season-high 22 points in a 79-56 win against Shaw University back on Nov. 29. 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE SHARKS
The two teams' will meet for the first time in program history on Friday. 

UNFAMILIAR FOES AWAIT IN FLORIDA
Northwest will battle Colorado Mesa on Thursday in only its second-ever meeting in program history, followed by an inaugural matchup with Nova Southeastern on Friday. 

The Bearcats saw the CMU Mavericks back on Nov. 18, 2022 in the FHSU Tournament, walking out with a 71-57 victory. 

LEAGUE-BESTS FROM CK AND SADIE
Graduate guard Caely Kesten is shooting at a 51.7% clip from long-range this season, topping the MIAA in three-point percentage, three's per game (3.00), and three's made (30). Kesten's 30 threes marks the fifth-best across Division II. 

On the defensive side, freshman forward Sadie Maas has provided the most blocks in the MIAA (19), also blocks per game (1.90). Maas has recorded a block in each of the Bearcats' 10 games this season.

MORE NEUTRAL SITE ACTION THIS WEEK
Head coach Austin Meyer boasts a 21-11 neutral site record in his seven years. This season, the Bearcats have taken down two top five WBCA ranked teams, dropping its only neutral site game to Texas Woman's, compiling a 5-1 season neutral site record. 

MAAS COLLECTS DOUBLE-DOUBLE VS. GRACELAND
True freshman forward Sadie Maas played a pivotal role in Northwest's win over Graceland, posting a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in a 85-54 victory.

Maas is the first freshman to record a double-double since her current teammate, Kelsey Fields, accomplished it in 2022 with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Lincoln.

DEFENSE LEADS TO W'S
The Bearcats have held opponents to just 28% shooting from beyond the arc, also holding opponenets to 57.2 PPG which ranks third in the MIAA. 

With forwards Kelsey Fields and Sadie Maas dominating the boards, the Bearcats rank fifth in the conference in defensive rebounds per game (28.4) and sixth in total rebounds (40.10).

CONTROLLING THE PAINT
Kelsey Fields has grabbed 75 rebounds this season, placing her sixth in the MIAA. Offensively, Fields averages 3.3 offensive rebounds per game, ranking second in the MIAA.

KESTEN HAS THE GREEN LIGHT
Caely Kesten ranks seventh in the nation with a 51.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. She has made 30 three-pointers this season, leading the MIAA and ranking fifth in Division II, along with an average of 3.00 three-pointers per game.

'CATS SHOOT SEASON-BESTS VS. WILLIAM JEWELL
During its matchup with Wiliam Jewell, Northwest posted its season-best shooting percentages, hitting 51% from the field, and 52.9% from long-range. 

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. 

TWO TOP FIVE VICTORIES
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, 57-49, marking its first top five victory since a 88-76 win against No. 5 Emporia State in the 2009-10 season. 

SO FAR THIS SEASON...
Kesten leads the scoring for Northwest with 125 points, with Fields right behind with 107. 

Hartnett has provided a team-best 33 assists, accumulating 79 points (7.9 PPG)

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. 

HARTNETT IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Totaling 1,514 career points, Hartnett has become the third-highest point scorer in Bearcat history. 

Northwest Career Points
1. Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 2,121
2. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 1,538
3. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 1,514
4. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 1,511
5. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 1,489
6. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 1,471
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

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

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. 358
7 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
9. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
10. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287

FIELDS CRACKS TOP 5 IN CAREER REBOUNDS
Kelsey Fields has risen up to No. 3 in career rebounds, pulling down 736 boards in her Bearcat career. 

1. Julie Chadwick, 1978-81 - 1,006 
2. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 763
3. Kelsey Fields, 2021-pres. 736
4. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 733
5. Kelly Leintz, 1985-88 - 710
6. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 706
7. Jodi Giles, 1979-82 - 702
8. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 694
    Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 694
9. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 686

THREE-POINT DUO
Caely Kesten and Peyton Kelderman have both entered Northwest's top 10 career three-pointers 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. Caely Kesten (2020-pres.)    147
6. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    146
7. Brooke Hogue (2002-04)    143
8. Mallory McAndrews (2015-19)    139
9. Tanya Meyer (2014-18)    132
10. Katie O'Grady, (2004-07)    125

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.

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 - 69
Caely Kesten - 35
Peyton Kelderman - 28
Kelsey Fields - 24
Lindsey Kelderman - 21
Evelyn Vazquez - 7
Laini Joseph - 6
Ella Moody - 3
Sadie Maas - 1
Emree Zars - 1
Aaliyah Riley - 1

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
Sadie Maas - 1

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).

MOVIN' UP THE RANKINGS
Northwest found itself inside the top 10 in the WBCA National Coaches' poll Tuesday, marking its first top 10 appearance since March 29, 2011. 

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)
- Nov. 19, 2024 - 18
- Nov. 26, 2024 - 15
- Dec. 3, 2024 - 9

20-WIN SEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2010-11
Last year, 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)

2024-25 WBCA NCAA Top 25 Coaches' Poll
1. Grand Valley State 
2. Texas Woman's
3. Montana State Billings
4. Lubbock Christian
5. Bentley
6. Gannon
7. Fort Hays State
8. Pittsburg State
9. Northwest Missouri State
10. Ashland
11. Carson-Newman
12. Cal State Dominguez Hills
13. Thomas Jefferson
14. Azusa Pacific
15. Lee, TN
16. Minnesota State Mankato
17. Tampa
18. Texas Tyler
19. Concordia-St. Paul
20. Union, TN
21. Seton Hill
22. Assumption
23. Ferris State
24. Nova Southeastern
25. Cal Poly Pomona

# - Number of First-Place Votes

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

D2CSC CENTRAL REGION POLL
Rank            School  (First-Place Votes) 
1.                  Pittsburg State (2)
2.                  Northwest Missouri State (3)                          
3.         Fort Hays State (1)
4.         Concordia-St. Paul
5.          Southwest Minnesota State
6.         Minnesota State
7.         Southwestern Oklahoma State
8.         Arkansas-Fort Smith
T9.         Arkansas Monticello
T9.         Southern Arkansas

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.