Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Western | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN | TICKETS

Thursday, Dec. 5 | 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State at Emporia State | Emporia, Kan. | White Auditorium
WATCH | LIVE STATS | LISTEN | TICKETS

The No. 15-ranked Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team (7-1) is set to begin MIAA play this week. The Bearcats will welcome Missouri Western to Bearcat Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m., before hitting the road to face Emporia State on Thursday, Dec. 5, also at 5:30 p.m.

CATCH THE ACTION
Both games will be available on the MIAA Network, as live stats will be available at bearcatsports.com, and radio will be broadcasted on KXCV (90.5 FM).

Tickets can be purchased on the Hometown Ticketing App, or purchased at the ticket window upon arrival for Tuesday's contest. 

SCOUTING THE GRIFFS
Missouri Western (4-3) comes off a 94-52 win against Lincoln last Tuesday. Senior Alyssa Bonilla leads the Griffs averaging 13.9 PPG, shooting the three-ball at 31%. Marie Sepp (10.3 PPG) and Matilda Soderlund (10.6 PPG) have also found themselves averaging double-digits on the season. As a team, Missouri Western sits second in the MIAA in assists per game (17.0), and tops the the conference in three point attempts per game (30.0), percentage (35.2%), and per game (10.6). 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE GRIFFS
Northwest boasts a home record of 22-19, yet trails the all-time series 32-47. Last season, the Bearcats dropped each of its contests to the Griffs. Northwest looks to avoid a six-game losing skid, with its last win coming on Dec. 18, 2021 (50-47), at Bearcat Arena. 

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State (3-4) comes off a split week with Ottawa (W, 89-80) and Missouri S&T (L, 85-67). Graduate guard Katie Horyna leads swarm averaging 17.3 PPG, converting on 55.3% of her shots from the field. Gracie Gilpin sits behind Hornya at 11.3 PPG with a team-leading 16 triples. 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE HORNETS
Emporia State holds a 18-47 all-time record, yet Northwest sweeping last season's contests (W, 86-52, W, 55-48). 

SWAATED AWAY BY MAAS
True freshman forward Sadie Maas blocked 16 shots through eight contests this season, topping the MIAA, and 10th across Division II. As a team, Northwest ranks 22nd nationally in blocks per game. 

Maas has collected a block in each of her first eight games as a Bearcat, with three block in two games (Rockhurst & Mission). 

WWWWWW STREAK
The Bearcats have taken down six straight opponents since dropping their only contest to, the now, No. 4-ranked Texas Woman's Pioneers on Nov. 3. In its last five games, Northwest has beaten opponents by 15 or more points. 

MIAA OPENERS DURING THE MEYER ERA
Head Coach Austin Meyer sits even at 3-3 in MIAA opening contests. Last season, the Bearcats defeated Missouri Southern 69-59 at Bearcat Arena. 

True freshman forward Sadie Maas played a key role in helping Northwest extend its winning streak to four games, recording a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in an 85-54 victory over Graceland last Friday. 

Maas is the first freshman to achieve a double-double since current teammate Kelsey Fields did so in 2022 (10 points, 10 rebounds vs. Lincoln).

DEFENSE LEADS TO W'S
Through eight contests, the Bearcats are holding opponents to 21.3% (17-of-80) from long-range, topping the MIAA and 12th nationally.

Northwest's defensive efficiency ranks second in the MIAA at 55 points per game.  With forwards in Kelsey Fields and Sadie Maas, the Bearcats rank fourth in the MIAA in offensive (13.1) and third in defensive (28.9) rebounds per game. 

CONTROLLING THE PAINT
Kelsey Fields has pulled down 66 rebounds this season, ranking fifth  in the MIAA and 36th across Division II. On the offensive end, Fields secures 3.5 offensive boards per contest, ranking second in the MIAA. 

KESTEN HAS THE GREEN LIGHT
Caely Kesten sits as the third-highest three-point shooter in the nation with 24 threes made this season, along with threes made per game (3.43) - each topping the MIAA in the category. At a 53.3% clip, Kesten ranks No. 2 in the MIAA and 23rd in the nation. 

'CATS SHOOT SEASON-BESTS VS. WILLIAM JEWELL
During Saturday's 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 99 points, with Fields right behind with 90. Kesten also leads the Bearcats with 24 three-pointers at a 50% clip, and swiping 11 steals. 

Fields has secured 66 rebounds (28 offensive). Hartnett has provided a team-best 26 assists, accumulating 66 points (8.3 PPG). 

SHARPSHOOTING 'CATS
The Bearcats are shooting 31.9% from long-range this season, providing the league's sixth-most three's per game (87.3). Northwest has converted on 41.1% of its shots from the floor, along with 64.1% 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. 

HARTNETT IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Totaling 1,501 career points, Hartnett has passed Diane Kloewer (1981-1984) to move up to fourth 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. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 1,501
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. 351
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 ranks No. 4 on Northwest's all-time rebound list to with 727 career rebounds. 

1. Julie Chadwick, 1978-81 - 1,006 
2. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 763
3. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 733
4. Kelsey Fields, 2021-pres. 727
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. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    146
6. Brooke Hogue (2002-04)    143
7. Caely Kesten (2020-pres.)    141
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 - 33
Peyton Kelderman - 28
Kelsey Fields - 23
Lindsey Kelderman - 20
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

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 has surged three spots into No.15 in the latest WBCA Top 25 rankings this week. 

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

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

# - 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)                          
T3.                Fort Hays State (1)                
T3.                Minnesota State                   
5.                  Concordia-St. Paul                   
6.                  Harding
7.                  Southwest Minnesota State
8.                  Southwestern Oklahoma State
9.                  Southern Nazarene
10.                Nebraska Kearney

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.