Thursday, Jan. 2 | 7:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Fort Hays State at Northwest Missouri State
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Saturday, Jan. 4 | 3:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Nebraska-Kearney at Northwest Missouri State
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BEARCATS RETURN TO MIAA PLAY FOLLOWING BREAK
The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball squad (3-8 overall, 1-1 MIAA) returns to conference play against Fort Hays State Thursday) and Nebraska-Kearney (Saturday).
    The Bearcats and Tigers will tip Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena, followed by a Saturday matchup against the Lopers at 3:30 p.m. also in Bearcat Arena.
    
FHSU ON 4-GAME WIN STREAK
Fort Hays State is 8-3 on the year and also 1-1 in MIAA play. FHSU is riding a four-game win streak coming into Thursday's encounter in Maryville.
    The Tigers scored a 70-67 double-overtime win over Central Missouri to open conference play on Dec. 5. The Tigers then dropped a 71-57 decision to No. 3-ranked Washburn on Dec. 7.

ALL-TIME VS. FHSU
Northwest holds a 24-11 lead in the all-time series with Fort Hays State.
    Northwest has posted seven straight victories in Bearcat Arena against FHSU, including a 64-61 double-overtime victory last year.

LOPERS SIT AT 2-8
The Nebraska-Kearney Lopers are sitting at 2-8 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play. UNK will play at Missouri Western on Thursday before venturing to Maryville on Saturday.
    The Lopers fell to No. 3 Washburn, 87-52, before a two-point loss at home to Central Missouri, 59-57.

ALL-TIME VS. UNK
Northwest owns a 16-1 lead in the all-time series with the Lopers.
    Northwest has won 10 consecutive games in the series.    Northwest is a perfect 8-0 all-time in Bearcat Arena vs. UNK.
    UNK's only win in the series came Jan. 18, 2018, in Kearney, Neb., when the Lopers posted a 66-59 victory over the then-No. 2-ranked Bearcats.

THREE-POINT DEFENSE
Northwest is holding the opposition to 29.0% made shots from three-point land, which ranks first in the MIAA. Northwest ranks No. 20 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense.
    Bearcat opponents have made 75-of-259 shots from three-point range through 11 games.

NOT MANY WHISTLES
Northwest leads the MIAA in fewest fouls called against them this season. Northwest is being whistled for 14.3 fouls per game, which ranks No. 23 in the country.

FIVE BEARCATS IN DOUBLE FIGURES VS. SOUTHWESTERN
The Bearcats had five players reach double-figure scoring in their 80-76 overtime loss at home to Southwestern (Kan.) before the holiday break.
    It is the first time this season the Bearcats have had five players score 10 or more points in a game.

GLOCK IS LOCKED IN
Over his last seven games, freshman Marcus Glock has been locked in with his shooting, scoring touch.
    Glock is averaging 11.3 points per game and has drained 15 of his last 20 3-point shots (75.0%).
    Overall from the field in his last seven games, Glock has made 23-of-36 field goals (63.9%).

RATIGAN RATIFIES A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Sophomore forward Jack Ratigan put up his first career double-double with an 11-point, 13-rebound performance against Southwestern (Kan.).
    Earlier this season, senior guard Emorie Knox recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 assists in Northwest's 74-57 win over Chadron State.

Career Double-Doubles
Byron Alexander - 1
Emorie Knox - 1
Jack Ratigan - 1

SCORING SUPERLATIVES
Senior Emorie Knox has scored 10 or more points eight times this season. Knox has put up 33 career double-figure scoring games at Charleston Southern (7), Ouachita Baptist (18) and Northwest (8).
    Senior Luke Moustakas tallied 12 points for his 12th career double-figure scoring game against Southwestern.
    Sophomore Jack Ratigan notched his sixth career 10-point scoring game with 11 points vs. the Moundbuilders.
    Freshman Marcus Glock secured his fourth double-figure game with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range.
    Sophomore Trey Moala put up a career-high 13 points for his second career double-figure scoring contest.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 33
Byron Alexander - 24
Luke Moustakas - 12
Spencer Schomers - 6
Jack Ratigan - 6
Marcus Glock - 4
Padraig Gallagher - 2
Ja'Vion Byers - 2
Trey Moala - 2
Blake Danitschek - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 6
Marcus Glock - 1
Luke Moustakas - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 1

KNOX LEADS THE WAY
Senior guard Emorie Knox tops the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game. Knox has scored in double figures in eight of 11 games.
    Knox dropped in a season-high 29 points against Emporia State. Knox tallied 24 of his 29 points in the second half and he connected on all five of his second-half three-point attempts.Altogether, Knox drained six three-pointers in the 65-54 win at Emporia State.
    The 29-point performance from Knox is tied for the highest scoring game this season by an individual in an MIAA contest. Missouri Southern's Ethan Blackmon also scored 29 points against Northeastern State on Dec. 17.

KNOX KEEPS SINKING FREEBIES
Emorie Knox has sank 28-of-31 free throws (90.3%) this season. Knox ranks No. 2 in the MIAA and No. 30 in the nation in free throw percentage.

RATIGAN SWATTING SHOTS
Jack Ratigan ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in blocked shots per game (1.36). Ratigan has swatted 15 shots this season. He has blocked at least one shot in nine of the first 11 games this season.
    Ratigan also tops the Bearcats in rebounds per game (6.5). Ratigan ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in rebounds per contest.
    Ratigan tallied a career-high 18 points in a 70-66 loss to Missouri Western. Ratigan buried 8-of-10 shots from the field against the Griffons.

MOOSE DIALED IN FROM DEEP
Luke Moustakas leads the squad in three-pointers made (23). Moustakas ranks second on the team in scoring (10.6 ppg).
    Moustakas poured in a career-high 21 points and sank five three-pointers in Northwest's 74-57 victory over Chadron State.
    Moustakas has made at least one three-pointer in all 11 games this season.
    He ranks No. 7 in the MIAA in three-pointers made per game (2.1) and ranks tied for No. 7 in the league in three-point field goals made (23).

MIAA Leaders 3-Pt FGs Made/Game
1. Braydon Shorter (Washburn)    3.8
2. Trey Phipps (Northeastern St.)    3.7
3. Avery Taggert (Pittsburg St.)    3.3
4. R.J. Forney (Pittsburg St.)    2.5
5. Jamari Lawrence (Mo. Southern)    2.2
6. Allen Taylor (Neb.-Kearney)    2.2
7. Luke Moustakas (Northwest)    2.1

MIAA Leaders 3-Pt FGs Made
1. Brayden Shorter (Washburn)    46
2. Trey Phipps (Northeastern St.)    41
3. Avery Taggert (Pittsburg St.)    36
4. Benard Omooria (Rogers St.)    29
5. R.J. Forney (Pittsburg St.)    28
6. Tyrique Brooks (Mo. Southern)    25
7. Luke Moustakas (Northwest)    23
    Julius Dixon (Mo. Western)    23
9. Allen Taylor (Neb.-Kearney)    22

SPENCER CAN SCORE TOO
Spencer Schomers ranks third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game through eight contests. He ranks third on the team with 14 made three-pointers.
    Schomers put up a career-high 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting against Chadron State.
    Schomers injured an ankle at Emporia State and has sat out the last three games.

LORD BYRON RETURNS
Senior forward Byron Alexander returned to action against Missouri Western having missed the previous five games.
    Alexander put up season-highs with 10 points and nine rebounds in the 83-80 win at Central Washington.
    Alexander has played in 134 career games (33 starts) and has scored 751 points as a Bearcat. He has recorded 416 rebounds and has tallied 89 steals.
    Alexander is the active NCAA Div. II leader in games played (134).
    Alexander ranks No. 9 in field goal percentage (.612) on the NCAA Div. II active career list.

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Games
1. Byron Alexander (NWMSU)    134
2. Jimmy Scholler (Ferris St.)    131
3. Luke Burnett (Ala.-Huntsville)    127
4. Cameron Kahn (Dallas Baptist)    126
5. Charlie Katona (Minn.-Duluth)    125

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Field Goal Percentage
1. Maceo Williams (Ashland)    .677
2. Daniel Saylor (Ala.-Huntsville)    .672
3. Drew Stover (Millersville)        .666
4. Naoh Boler-Kyle (Lee)        .658
5. Jose Murillo (Eastern New Mexico)    .653
6. William Becker (UCCS)        .622
7. Tae Wilson (Saint Leo)        .621
8. Luke Haasl (Central Oklahoma)    .621
9. Byron Alexander (NWMSU)    .612
10. Kazell Stewart (Southern Conn. St.)    .612

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 176-16, including a tally of 120-11 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 131-8. In that same stretch, Northwest is 96-5 in home MIAA contests.

Year        Record (MIAA Games)
2011-12    12-1 (9-1)
2012-13    12-3 (6-3)
2013-14    12-1 (9-1)
2014-15    13-2 (8-1)
2015-16    13-0 (11-0)
2016-17    18-0 (10-0)
2017-18    12-2 (8-1)
2018-19    17-0 (9-0)
2019-20    16-0 (10-0)
2020-21    12-2 (10-1)
2021-22    12-2 (9-2)
2022-23    15-1 (11-0)
2023-24    12-0 (11-0)
2024-25    0-2 (0-2)

1ST 20-POINT LOSS SINCE 2010
For the first time in 153 games, Northwest lost a game by 20 points or more in a 72-50 setback vs. Augustana to begin the 2024-25 season.
    The last time the Bearcats lost a game by 20 points or more came Jan. 20, 2010, when Missouri Southern posted an 88-63 win in Joplin, Mo.
    Northwest had won 153 consecutive games when the final scoring margin is 20 or more points.
10 STRAIGHT 25-WIN SEASONS
Northwest is the only NCAA men's basketball program to have won 25 or more games in each of the last 10 seasons.
    Northwest is averaging 30.5 wins per season over the last 10 years. In its last 10 seasons, Northwest is 305-34 overall and 184-21 in MIAA action.
    Houston and Drake hold the NCAA Div. I active streak with four consecutive 25-plus win seasons.

13 STRAIGHT 20-WIN SEASON
Northwest has won 20 or more games in 13 consecutive seasons.
    It is the longest active 20-win season streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The University of Kansas holds the longest active streak among NCAA Div. I teams at 35 win a row. Gonzaga University has an active streak of 27 consecutive 20-win seasons.
    Ben McCollum's 13 20-win seasons are the most among Northwest men's basketball coaches. McCollum surpassed Steve Tappmeyer, who held the previous mark of 10 20-win seasons on the Bearcat sidelines.

Northwest Coaching 20-Win Seasons
Ben McCollum - 13
Steve Tappmeyer - 10
Hank Iba - 3
Lionel Sinn - 3
Sparky Stalcup - 1

Active Consecutive 20-Win Seasons
Kansas - 35
Gonzaga - 27
Oregon - 14
Belmont - 14
Northwest Missouri State - 13

0-1 VS. RANKED FOES THIS SEASON
Northwest is 35-7 vs. ranked opponents since the 2015-16 season. Northwest is 0-1 this season against foes ranked in the NABC Top 25.

Bearcats vs. NABC Ranked Foes (Since 2016)
L, 68-56 vs. No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State (11/23/24)
L, 43-42 at No. 2 Minnesota State (3/19/24)
W, 71-62 vs. No. 10 Minnesota-Duluth (3/17/24)
W, 64-61 (2OT) vs. No. 24 Fort Hays State (2/3/24)
W, 63-59 vs. No. 15 Emporia State (12/16/23)
W, 65-47 vs. No. 21 Northern State (11/10/23)
L, 61-57 vs. No. 15 Southern Nazarene (3/12/23)
W, 61-53 vs. No. 12 Central Oklahoma (3/5/23)
W, 65-51 vs. No. 7 Central Oklahoma (2/23/23)
L, 69-58 at No. 7 Central Oklahoma (1/12/23)
L, 74-65  at No. 22 Emporia State (12/17/22)
W, 78-62 vs. No. 5 West Texas A&M (11/5/22)
W, 67-58 vs. No. 5 Augusta (3/26/22)
W, 70-57 vs. No. 22 Black Hills State (3/24/22)
W, 61-43 vs. No. 14 Bentley (3/22/22)
W, 70-56 at No. 5 Augustana (3/15/22)
W, 53-50 vs. No. 21 Fort Hays State (3/5/22)
W, 57-49 vs. No. 18 Fort Hays State (2/2722)
L, 76-75 (OT) at No. 18 Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
W, 64-59 vs. No. 21 Seattle Pacific (11/7/21)
W, 68-55 vs. No. 15 Northern State (11/6/21)
W, 80-54 vs. No. 5 West Texas A&M (3/27/21)
W, 77-46 vs. No. 8 Flagler (3/25/21)
W, 98-77 vs. No. 18 West Liberty (3/24/21)
W, 91-86 (OT) at No. 2 Northern State (3/16/21)
W, 85-44 vs. No. 17 Washburn (3/14/21)
W, 88-85 (OT) at No. 15 Washburn (2/20/21)
W, 78-76 vs. No. 22 Missouri Southern (3/8/20)
W, 77-76 vs. No. 17 Missouri Southern (2/20/20)
W, 96-75 at No. 14 Missouri Southern (2/13/20)
W, 100-88 vs. No. 9 Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
W, 85-65 vs. No. 22 Daemen (11/1/19)
W, 64-58 vs. No. 6 Point Loma (3/30/19)
W, 76-53 vs. No. 20 Saint Anselm (3/28/19)
W, 70-59 vs. No. 13 Southern Nazarene (3/17/19)
W, 100-86 vs. No. 13 Ferris State (11/4/19)
W, 70-56 vs. No. 15 Lincoln Memorial (12/19/17)
W, 71-61 vs. No. 3 Fairmont State (3/25/17)
W, 79-67 vs. No. 15 Lincoln Memorial (3/23/17)
W, 55-52 vs. No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State (3/14/17)
W, 82-71 vs. No. 18 Augustana (11/17/16)
L, 80-78 at No. 1 Augustana (3/15/16)

NORTHWEST IN BIG DANCE
Northwest is 43-22 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with six appearances in the Elite Eight (2002, 2004, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).
    Northwest's 43 NCAA Tournament wins rank No. 4 in NCAA Div. II history.
    The Bearcats have claimed four national championships with titles in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
    Northwest is the only NCAA Division II school to win three consecutive national crowns.

Div. II All-Time Tourn. Wins
89, Kentucky Wesleyan
48, Florida Southern
46, Virginia Union
43, Northwest Mo. St.
42, MSU Denver
41, CSU Bakersfield
40, Evansville
37, Central Mo.
37, Indiana, Pa.
37, Southern Ind.

Div. II All-Time Tourn. Games
122, Kentucky Wesleyan
81, Florida Southern
75, Virginia Union
73, Jefferson
67, Southern Indiana
66, Assumption
65, Northwest Mo. St.
61, CSU Bakersfield
59, Central Missouri
59, MSU Denver
59, South Dakota St.

24TH NCAA APPEARANCE
The Bearcats gained their 24th all-time NCAA Div. II Tournament appearance by winning the 2024 MIAA Tournament in Kansas City.

Most NCAA Appearances
39, Kentucky Wesleyan
38, Jefferson
33, Florida Southern
30, Virginia Union
29, Southern Indiana
28, Seattle Pacific
27, Assumption
26, Gannon
25, St. Anselm
24, South Dakota State
24, Northwest Missouri State

11 STRAIGHT NCAA BIDS
Northwest has received a bid to 11 straight NCAA Div. II men's basketball tournaments. It ranks as the second-longest active streak behind West Liberty's 15 straight appearances.
    Northwest's 11 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament ranks as the sixth-longest streak among Div. II men's teams.

Consecutive NCAA Bids (Active)
15, West Liberty
11, Northwest Mo. St.
9, St. Thomas Aquinas
8, West Texas A&M
6, Alabama Huntsville
5, Colorado Mesa
5, Lincoln Memorial
4, Lubbock Christian
4, MSU Moorhead

Consecutive NCAA Bids (All-Time)
15, Assumption (1963-77)
15, West Liberty (2010-pres.)
13, Virginia Union (1984-96)
12, Bellarmine (2009-2020)
12, Seattle Pacific (2005-16)
11, CSU Bakersfield (1988-98)
11, Kentucky Wesleyan (1982-92)
11, Jefferson (1963-73)
11, Northwest Mo. St. (2014-pres.)
10, MSU Denver (1998-07)
10, Evansville (1957-66)

NORTHWEST MADE ITS 19TH TRIP TO MIAA TOURNAMENT TITLE GAME
Northwest's 19th title game appearance increases its MIAA record for the most by any school. Central Missouri ranks second with 15 title game appearances.
    Northwest has won 12 MIAA Tournament championships.

Northwest in MIAA Title Games
1984 - UCM 70, Northwest 65
1989 - Northwest 82, UCM 77
1998 - MWSU 65, Northwest 52
1999 - Truman St. 70, Northwest 68
2000 - MSSU 90, Northwest 79
2001 - WU 81, Northwest 74
2002 - Northwest 71, MWSU 58
2004 - Northwest 78, WU 71
2008 - Northwest 57, ESU 51
2013 - UCM 79, Northwest 76 (OT)
2016 - Northwest 61, UNK 53
2017 - Northwest 69, UCM 61
2018 - Northwest 80, WU 74
2019 - Northwest 82, WU 53
2020 - Northwest 78, MSSU 76
2021 - WU 69, Northwest 68
2022 - Northwest 84, WU 76
2023 - Northwest 61, UCO 53
2024 - Northwest 78, PSU 65

NORTHWEST WINS 12TH MIAA TOURNAMENT TITLE
Northwest captured the program's 12th MIAA Tournament title with a 13-point win over Pittsburg State.

MIAA Tournament Titles
Northwest Missouri State - 12
Central Missouri - 6
Washburn - 6
Missouri Western - 4
Southeast Missouri State - 4
Missouri Southern - 3
Southwest Baptist - 2
Truman State - 2
Fort Hays State - 1
Pittsburg State - 1
Missouri S&T - 1
Missouri St. Louis - 1
Omaha - 1

NORTHWEST CAPTURED ITS 11TH STRAIGHT MIAA CROWN
Northwest captured its 11th straight MIAA regular season crown in the 2023-24 season.
    Over the last 11 seasons, Northwest has compiled a league mark of 200-24.
    Over the last eight seasons in MIAA play, Northwest has a record of 150-14 against league foes.

Year        NW's MIAA Record
2013-14    16-3
2014-15    15-4
2015-16    19-3
2016-17    18-1
2017-18    16-3
2018-19    19-0
2019-20    18-1
2020-21    21-1
2021-22    18-4
2023-23    20-2
2023-24    20-2
Totals    200-24

'CATS CAPTURE 24TH MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLE
Northwest clinched the program's 24th MIAA regular season crown in 2023-24.
    Northwest has won 17 outright MIAA titles and has shared the league crown on seven occasions.

MIAA Regular Season Titles
Northwest - 24
Central Missouri - 21
Missouri State - 19
Southeast Missouri State - 13
Washburn - 10
Truman State - 9
Missouri Western - 5
Southwest Baptist - 4
Lincoln - 4
Missouri Southern - 2
Missouri S&T - 2
Fort Hays State - 1
Pittsburg State - 1

Northwest's Outright MIAA Titles
1925-26 - H.F. Lawrence
1928-29 - H.F. Lawrence
1929-30 - Henry Iba
1931-32 - Henry Iba
1932-33 - Henry Iba
1939-40 - Wilber Stalcup
1945-46 - Ryland Milner
1986-87 - Lionel Sinn
2014-15 - Ben McCollum
2015-16 - Ben McCollum
2016-17 - Ben McCollum
2017-18 - Ben McCollum
2018-19 - Ben McCollum
2019-20 - Ben McCollum
2020-21 - Ben McCollum
2022-23 - Ben McCollum
2023-24 - Ben McCollum

Northwest's Shared MIAA Titles
1926-27 - H.F. Lawrence
1997-98 - Steve Tappmeyer
2001-02 - Steve Tappmeyer
2006-07 - Steve Tappmeyer
2011-12 - Ben McCollum
2013-14 - Ben McCollum
2021-22 - Ben McCollum

'CATS PILE UP MIAA WINS, YEAR AFTER YEAR
Northwest has won 18 or more MIAA games in six consecutive seasons.
    Six teams in league history have won 19 or more MIAA games and the Bearcats have done it five times.
    Northwest is the only league school to have won 20 or more games in a season. The Bearcats have accomplished 20-MIAA wins on three occasions (2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24).

Most MIAA League Wins in a Season
21, Northwest Mo. St. (2020-21)
20, Northwest Mo. St. (2022-23)
20, Northwest Mo. St. (2023-24)
19, Missouri Southern (2010-11)
19, Northwest Mo. St. (2015-16)
19, Northwest Mo. St. (2018-19)
18, Central Missouri (2009-10)
18, Northwest Mo. St. (2016-17)
18, Northwest Mo. St. (2019-20)
18, Northwest Mo. St. (2021-22)
18, Central Oklahoma (2021-22)
18, Central Oklahoma (2022-23)
17, Southwest Baptist (2008-09)
17, Fort Hays State (2021-22)

NORTHWEST IS NATIONAL NAME
Northwest is 43-22 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with six appearances in the Elite Eight (2002, 2004, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).
    Northwest is the first NCAA Division II school to capture three straight national titles.
    The Bearcats have claimed four national championships with titles in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
    
NCAA Div. II National Titles
8, Kentucky Wesleyan
5, Evansville
4, Northwest Missouri State
3, Virginia Union
2, Central Missouri
2, MSU Denver
2, North Alabama
2, Winona State

MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
The Bearcats have been projected to finish third by the media and fourth by the coaches in the MIAA's preseason basketball polls.
    The Bearcats received five first-place votes from media members and one first-place vote from an MIAA head coach.

2024-25 MIAA Coaches Poll
1. Washburn [8] – 161 points
2. Fort Hays State [3] – 156 points
3. Pittsburg State [2] – 149 points
4. Northwest Missouri State [1] – 125 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 120 points
6. Missouri Western – 105 points
7. Central Missouri – 96 points
8. Rogers State – 88 points
9. Emporia State – 79 points
10. Missouri Southern – 66 points
11. Northeastern State – 44 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 39 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 24 points
14. Newman – 22 points
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2024-25 MIAA Media Poll
1. Fort Hays State [9] – 247 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 229 points
3. Northwest Missouri State [5] – 217 points
4. Washburn [1] – 212 points
5. Central Oklahoma [1] – 174 points
6. Rogers State – 165 points
7. Missouri Western – 163 points
8. Emporia State – 134 points
9. Missouri Southern – 130 points
10. Central Missouri – 106 points
11. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 74 points
12. Northeastern State – 65 points
13. Nebraska Kearney – 42 points
14. Newman – 36 points