Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Rogers State at No. 11 Northwest Missouri State
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

Saturday, Feb. 17 | 3:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Northeastern State at No. 11 Northwest Missouri State
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS | TICKETS

Bearcat Radio Network/MIAA Network
John Coffey - Play-by-Play
Matt Tritten - Analyst

NORTHWEST TO DEFEND HOME COURT VS. ROGERS STATE, NSU
The No. 11-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (19-4 overall, 15-2 MIAA) will play host to Rogers State (13-9, 10-6 MIAA) on Thursday before taking on Northeastern State (8-14, 3-13 MIAA) on Saturday in Bearcat Arena.
    Thursday is United Fiber Night at Bearcat Arena. T-shirts will be available for the first 250 fans.

SENIOR DAY ON SATURDAY
Northwest will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday. Northwest will honor Wes Dreamer and Mitch Mascari for their contributions to Bearcat basketball.
    Dreamer, a native of Alvo, Neb., has played in 150 Bearcat games. He is one of four MIAA players to have made 300 or more three-pointers. He is one of five Bearcats to have scored 1,700 or more career points. Dreamer was a second-team all-MIAA pick in 2022-23 and a third-team all-league selection in 2021-22.
    Mascari, a native of Geneva, Ill., has played in 114 games and has drawn 46 starting assignments. He has dropped in 143 career three-pointers. Mascari has tallied 605 career points. Mascari set a career-scoring high with 27 points on nine three-pointers against Washburn last Saturday.

ALL-TIME VS. HILLCATS
Northwest owns a 7-0 all-time record against Rogers State. RSU joined the MIAA in the 2019-20 season and all seven matchups have occurred in that time frame.
    Northwest produced a 78-57 victory over Rogers State in Claremore, Okla., on Jan. 6.

ALL-TIME VS. RIVERHAWKS
Northwest holds a 17-1 lead all-time against Northeastern State.
    Northwest has won 16 straight matchups with NSU. Since NSU joined the MIAA, it is 0-15 against Northwest.
    The Bearcats gained a 78-65 victory over the RiverHawks in Tahlequah, Okla., on Jan. 4.

EIGHT-GAME WIN STREAK
Northwest enters Thursday's game vs. Rogers State riding an eight-game win streak. The eight-game win streaks ranks tied for the fifth-longest active streak among NCAA Div. II men's basketball teams.

NCAA Div. II Active Win Streaks
1.    West Texas A&M        19
2.    Clark Atlanta        12
3.    West Georgia        11
4.    Gannon        10
5.    Northwest Mo. St.        8
    Fort Lewis        8
    St. Thomas Aquinas        8
    Minnesota-Duluth        8
    Lee            8
10.    East Stroudsburg        7
    Nova Southeastern        7
    Southeastern Okla. St.    7

NORTHWEST HAS WON NINE IN A ROW IN BEARCAT ARENA
Northwests's nine-game home winning streak is tied for the ninth-longest in the country.

NCAA Div. II Active Home Win Streaks
1.    Nova Southeastern        56
2.    Minnesota State        14
3.    West Georgia        13
    Fort Lewis        13
    Fort Hays State        13
6.    Gannon        12
7.    Benedict        11
8.    Northern Michigan        10
9.    Northwest Mo. St.        9
    Southeastern Okla. St.    9
    Chico St.        9

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 173-14, including a tally of 117-10 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 128-7. In that same stretch, Northwest is 92-4 in home MIAA contests.
    Northwest has won 20 straight home MIAA games dating back to the 2021-22 season. ESU was the last league opponent to win a game in Bearcat Arena (76-75 - Feb. 21, 2022).
    Northwest is 9-0 at home this season in Bearcat Arena. Northwest has won 24 of its last 25 home 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    9-0 (8-0)

ONE WIN AWAY FROM 13TH CONSECUTIVE 20-WIN SEASON
Northwest is one win away from capturing the program's 30th 20-win season.
    Northwest's next victory would be the 13th straight season the Bearcats have reached 20 wins.
    It is the longest active 20-win season streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    Head coach Ben McCollum's 12 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 - 12
Steve Tappmeyer - 10
Hank Iba - 3
Lionel Sinn - 3
Sparky Stalcup - 1

'CATS HOLD TWO-GAME LEAD IN MIAA STANDINGS
Northwest maintained its two-game lead over Fort Hays State in the MIAA standings when the Bearcats scored a 75-72 win at Washburn.
    Northwest is 15-2 in MIAA games. FHSU is second in the league standings at 13-4. Pittsburg State and Washburn are tied for third at 11-6. Rogers State is in fifth place at 10-6. Central Oklahoma, Missouri Southern and Missouri Western are all tied for sixth at 9-8.
    Northwest has clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats will be seeded either No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 in the 2024 MIAA Tournament, which is set for March 6-10 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

SO MUCH SUCCESS VS MIAA OPPONENTS
Northwest has won 31 of its last 33 matchups with MIAA opponents dating back to last season.

NO. 2 FREE THROW SHOOTERS IN THE NATION
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in the free throw percentage at 79.8%.

NCAA Div. II Free Throw %
1.    Wingate        .800
2.    Northwest Mo. St.        .798
3.    St. Edward's, Texas        .794
4.    Chaminade        .792
5.    Molloy        .791
6.    Lubbock Christian        .789
7.    Adams St.        .787
8.    Truman St.        .786
9.    Gannon        .786
10.    Texas Permian Basin        .785

BEARCATS RANK NO. 2 IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 59.9 points per game. The Bearcats rank second in the MIAA in scoring defense behind only Fort Hays State (57.4 ppg).
    Only two opponents (Missouri Western and Washburn) have scored 70 or more points against the Bearcats in Northwest's last 17 games.
    Under the direction of head coach Ben McCollum, the Bearcats are 182-6 when holding the opposition to less than 60 points.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Defense
1.     Fort Hays State        57.4
2.    Northwest Mo. St.        59.9
3.    Miles            61.2
4.    Fayetteville St.        62.2
5.    Walsh        62.6
6.    West Alabama        62.9
7.    Alaska-Anchorage        63.1
8.    Central Missouri        63.8
9.    Hillsdale        64.2
10.    Winston-Salem        64.5

NO. 15 IN FTs MADE
Northwest ranks No. 15 in the nation in free throws made per game (17.8).

NO. 2 IN DIV. II, NO. 5 IN NATION BY SYNERGY
The Bearcat men's basketball squad ranks No. 2 in the nation among NCAA Division II schools and No. 5 in the nation among all programs in points per offensive possession (1.078) according to Synergy Sports Technology.

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. II)
1. Lubbock Christian    1.084
2. Northwest Mo. St.    1.078
3. Carson-Newman    1.073
4. Gannon        1.068
5. Charleston, W.Va.    1.064
6. Minnesota St.        1.064
7. Illinois-Springfield    1.055
8. Ferris St.        1.050
9. Alabama-Huntsville    1.040
    West Liberty        1.040

Points Per Possession (All College Men's Basketball)
1. Indiana St.        1.094
2. St. John's (Minn.)    1.086
    Morningside        1.086
4. Lubbock Christian    1.084
5. Northwest Mo. St.    1.078
6. Dordt            1.075
7. Carson-Newman    1.073
8. Gannon        1.068
9. Charleston, W.Va.    1.064
10. Minnesota St.        1.064

'CATS AT NO. 5 IN LATEST MASSEY RATINGS
Northwest holds down the No. 5 spot in the nation in the latest Massey Ratings (Feb. 12, 2024).
    Northwest is the top-ranked MIAA team in the Massey Ratings (Masseyratings.com/cb/ncaa-d2/ratings).

Massey Ratings (NCAA Div. II - 2/12/24)
1. West Texas A&M    7.45
3. Nova Southeastern    7.44
3. Minnesota St.        7.43
4. MSU Moorhead    7.28
5. Northwest Mo. St.    7.25
6. Minnesota Duluth    7.19
7. Dallas Baptist        7.12
8. Colorado Mesa        7.02
9. Fort Lewis        7.01
10. Fort Hays St.        6.92

'CATS LEAD LEAGUE IN SCORING MARGIN
Northwest is the only MIAA school averaging a double-digit scoring margin in league games. Northwest is 15-2 with an average scoring margin of 12.4 points per game. Fort Hays State ranks second in league games with a +7.6 scoring margin with a mark of 13-4 in conference matchups.
    Fort Hays State has allowed a league-low 990 points (58.2 ppg) in league play. Northwest is second having allowed 1,026 points (60.4 ppg) in MIAA games.
    Northwest ranks No. 12 in the nation in scoring margin in all games (+13.6).

NOT MANY REBOUNDS FOR THE OPPOSITION
Northwest has allowed the fewest rebounds per game in the nation by its opponents (23.2). Northwest also ranks No. 11 in the nation in rebound margin (+7.3).
    Northwest limited Central Missouri to 16 total rebounds in its 76-54 win over the Mules. Northwest has held five teams to less than 20 rebounds in a game this season - Emporia State (12), Central Missouri (16), Upper Iowa (17), Missouri-St. Louis (17) and Clarke (18).

NCAA Div. II Fewest Rebounds/Game
1.     Northwest Mo. St.        23.2
2.    Arkansas-Monticello        26.2
3.    Cal Poly Humboldt        27.7
4.    Southwest Baptist        28.2
5.    UNC Pembroke        28.4
6.    Mercyhurst        29.2
7.    Colorado School of Mines    29.7
8.    Charleston, W.Va.        8.5
9.    Texas Permian Basin        29.7
10.    Missouri-St. Louis        29.7

NCAA Div. II Rebound Margin
1.     UNC Pembroke        +12.2
2.    Carson-Newman        +10.8
3.    Christian Brothers        +9.1
4.    Cal St. San Bernadino    +8.8
5.    Colorado Mesa        +8.6
6.    Walsh        +8.5
7.    Colorado School of Mines    +8.5
8.    Southwest Baptist        +7.9
9.    Concord        +7.6
10. Kentucky Wesleyan        +7.4
11.    Northwest Mo. St.        +7.3

NORTHWEST HITTING HALF ITS SHOTS
The Bearcats rank No. 11 in the nation in field goal percentage having made 50.3% of its shots this season. The Bearcats have shot 50.0% or better in 10 games this season - including three 60-percent games vs. Nebraska-Kearney (63.2%), vs. Clarke (60.7%) and Central Missouri (60.5%).

BEARCATS HAVE CLAIMED 10 STRAIGHT MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLES
Northwest captured its 10th straight MIAA regular season crown in the 2022-23 season.
    Only Gongaza has a longer conference title winning streak with 11 in a row. The Zags have won 11 straight West Coast Conference titles at the NCAA Division I level.
    Over the last 11 seasons, Northwest has compiled a league mark of 195-24.
    Over the last eight seasons in MIAA play, Northwest has a record of 145-14 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    15-2
Totals    195-24

LIMITED LOSSES IN 8 YEARS
Northwest has suffered only 20 losses in the last eight seasons. The Bearcats have compiled a record of 243-20 over the last eight years.

35-1 - 2016-17
27-4 - 2017-18
38-0 - 2018-19
31-1 - 2019-20
28-2 - 2020-21
34-5 - 2021-22
31-3 - 2022-23
19-4 - 2023-24

MASCARI BURIES NINE TRIPLES AT WASHBURN
Junior guard Mitch Mascari scored a career-high 27 points as he knocked in 9-of-12 three-pointers in a 75-72 victory.
    The nine three-pointers are the most made by an MIAA men's basketball performer this season.
    The nine triples rank tied for the sixth-most 3-pointers made in a game by a Bearcat.

3-Pointers Made in a Game (Bearcat History)
1.     11, Trevor Hudgins vs. Rogers State (12/4/21)
    11, Trevor Hudgins vs. Saint Mary (12/29/21)
    11, Trevor Hudgins vs. Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
4.     10, Justin Pitts vs. Northeastern State (11/30/17)
    10, Wes Dreamer vs. Briar Cliff (11/26/21)
6.     9, Zach Schneider vs. Central Oklahoma (1/3/15)
    9, Ryan Welty vs. Northeastern State (12/17/16)
    9, Trevor Hudgins vs. Missouri-St. Louis (11/19/21)
    9, Mitch Mascari vs. Washburn (2/10/24)
10. 8, 10 times

MITCH LIGHTS IT UP FROM DOWNTOWN
Mitch Mascari has drained four or more three-pointers in nine contests this season. He has buried at least one triple in 13 consecutive games and has made at least one three-pointer in 20 of 23 contests.
    Mascari is tied for the league lead in 3-pointers made in MIAA games (46) with UCO's Jaden Wells. Mascari is shooting a league-best 53.5% from 3-point range in MIAA contests.
    Overall, Mascari ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in three-pointers made (60). Mascari is making 50.8% of his three-point shots, which ranks No. 3 in the nation and leads the conference.

NCAA Div. II 3-Point Percentage Leaders
1.     John Zhao (Carson Newman)            54.8% (69-126)
2.    Donell Nixon (Wingate)            50.9% (58-114)
3.    Mitch Mascari (Northwest Mo. St.)        50.8% (60-118)
4.    Nick Brenegan (Carson-Newman)        50.0% (93-186)
5.    Marcus Johnson (Wheeling)            49.0% (50-102)

ISAIAH EYES A STUFFED STAT SHEET
Junior Isaiah Jackson produced a career-high 11 assists in a 105-53 win over Nebraska-Kearney. Jackson has recorded five or more assists in eight games this season.
    Jackson leads the team in assists (97). He ranks second on the squad in rebounds (117), while averaging 7.2 points per game.
    Jackson ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0). He ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in assists per game (4.6). He has turned the ball over only 49 times.

JACKSON IS DOING IT ALL
Junior guard Isaiah Jackson is one of six MIAA players to have 150 points, 100 rebounds and 90 assists this season.

Player            Asst.    Reb.    Pts.
Isaiah Jackson (NW)    97    117    152    
Jaxon Jones (NSU)    121    106    217
Danquez Dawsey (UCO)    132    98    332
Jordan Frison (PSU)    114    93    292
Kaleb Hammeke (FHSU)    96    118    330
Taye Fields (MWSU)    92    151    282

BYRON BARELY MISSES FROM ANYWHERE
Since the start of MIAA play, junior forward Byron Alexander has found his scoring touch from the field and the free throw line.
    Alexander is shooting 66.7% from the field (30-of-45 FGs) in MIAA play. He is also shooting 75.0% from the charity stripe (30-of-40 FTs). Alexander is averaging 9.0 points per game through 10 MIAA contests.
    Overall on the season, Alexander ranks No. 4 on the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game. He also ranks third on the team with 31 assists. Alexander has scored in double figures in seven games this season.
    Alexander has knocked in 81.4% of his free throws by sinking 48-of-59 at the charity stripe. He also leads the team in field goal percentage (61.3%).

DREAMER, STIRTZ HEAD SCORING LEADERS FOR THE 'CATS
Senior Wes Dreamer and sophomore Bennett Stirtz are the Bearcats top two scorers and each ranks in the top 12 in the MIAA in scoring.
    Dreamer ranks second in the MIAA in scoring at 18.5 points per game. He ranks fifth in the league in rebounding at 6.8 boards per contest. Dreamer is fourth in the MIAA with 48 made three-pointers. Dreamer ranks No. 8 in the league in minutes played per game (35.3).
    Stirtz ranks No. 12 in the MIAA in scoring at 14.6 points per contest. Stirtz ranks No. 11 in the league in minutes played per game (33.8). Stirtz ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0).

SCORING SUPERLATIVES
Senior Wes Dreamer notched his 26th career 20-point scoring game with a 23-point effort at Emporia State. Dreamer has scored 20 or more in back-to-back games and has put up 20 or more 12 times this year. He has recorded 83 games of double-figure scoring.
    Sophomore Bennett Stirtz was posted his 41st career double-figure contest with a 19-point game at Washburn.
    Junior Mitch Mascari recorded his third 20-point game with his 27-point performance at Washburn. Mascari has posted 20 career double-figure scoring games.
    
Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Wes Dreamer - 83
Bennett Stirtz - 41
Daniel Abreu - 29
Byron Alexander - 20
Mitch Mascari - 21
Isaiah Jackson - 15
Luke Moustakas - 6
Jack Ratigan - 3
Spencer Schomers - 2
Blake Danitschek - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Wes Dreamer - 26
Bennett Stirtz - 8
Mitch Mascari - 3
Daniel Abreu - 1
Isaiah Jackson - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Wes Dreamer - 3

DREAMER SHOWING OFF DEFENSIVELY TOO
Senior Wes Dreamer not only leads the team in scoring, he is the squad's top rebounder at 6.8 boards per game.
    Dreamer's 22 steals ranks No. 2 on the team this season. Dreamer has accumulated 104 career steals.
    Dreamer ranks T-No. 6 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots list with 66.


Northwest Career Blocked Shots
1.    Joe Hurst (1983-86)        153
2.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)    109
3.    Russ Miller (1977-80)        94
4.    Dillon Starzl (2010-14)    69
5.    Rick Jolley (1994-96)        68
6.    Jake Reinders (2007-12)    66
    Wes Dreamer (2019-pres.)    66
8.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-22)    60
9.    Floyd Farrow (2000-01)    59
10. Kyle Schlake (2010-14)    58

DREAMER AMONG ACTIVE NCAA LEADERS
Bearcat senior Wes Dreamer is the NCAA Div. II active career leader in games played (150). Including all NCAA levels, Dreamer ranks No. 22 in total games played.
    Dreamer ranks No. 5 among active NCAA Div. II players in three-pointers made (303) and No. 6 in three-pointers attempted (756).
    He ranks No. 13 in points (1,721) and No. 13 in rebounds (774) among NCAA Div. II active leaders.

NCAA Div. II Active Career Leaders 3-Pointers Made
1.     Zach Toussaint (West Texas A&M)        346
2.    Matthew Ragsdale (Black Hills St.)        339
3.    Drew Blair (Minnesota Duluth)        316
4.    Luke Burnett (Alabama-Huntsville)        307
5.    Wes Dreamer (Northwest Mo. St.)        303
6.    Jaden Wells (Central Oklahoma)        295
7.    Reese Glover (Missouri Western)        294
8.    Brian Free (Northwestern Oklahoma)        276
9.    Jamal Barnes (St. Thomas Aquinas)        267
10.    Bryce Waterman (Staten Island)        253

DREAMER JOINS AN ELITE LIST OF 1,700-POINT SCORERS & 700+ REBOUNDS
Dreamer is only the third Bearcat to reach 1,700 points and 700 rebounds in his career joining Diego Bernard and Ryan Hawkins in that elite category.
    Dreamer is among six active NCAA Div. II players to reach 1,700 points and 700 rebounds. Through all NCAA Divisions, there are 29 active players with 1,700 points and 700 rebounds.

Active NCAA Players with 1,700+ Points/700+ Rebounds
Kelvin Jones (Emmanuel)        2,857 pts/751 rbs
Joel Scott (Colorado State)    2,743 pts/1,133 rbs
Jahmir Young (Maryland)        2,454 pts/734 rbs
Cam Martin (Boise State)        2,283 pts/981 rbs
Armando Bacot (North Carlina)    2,149 pts/1,581 rbs
Bryce Butler (Coll. of Charleston)    2,125 pts/858 rbs
Zach Edey (Purdue)        2,091 pts/1,128 rbs
Lyle Tipton (Gannon)        2,067 pts/710 rbs
Hunter Dickinson (Kansas)        2,066 pts/1,050 rbs
Daniel Cook (St. John Fisher)    2,056 pts/1,040 rbs
Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)    2,029 pts/1,147 rbs
Tanner Holden (Wright St.)        1,999 pts/871 rbs
Anthony Roberts (Purdue-Ft. Wayne)    1,867 pts/768 rbs
Johni Broome (Auburn)        1,834 pts/1,112 rbs
Tyler Burton (Villanova)        1,832 pts/981 rbs
Mervin James (Rider)        1,821 pts/831 rbs
Bryson Bultman (Miami, Ohio)    1,808 pts/787 rbs
Jeff Hunter (Keene St.)        1,805 pts/1,294 rbs
Nathan Bruns (Findlay)        1,786 pts/751 rbs
Drew Pember (UNC Asheville)    1,776 pts/748 rbs
Charles Pride (St. Bonaventure)    1,773 pts/886 rbs
Christian Parker (Mount Union)    1,768 pts/785 rbs
Anthony Pittman (W. Va. St.)    1,760 pts/981 rbs
Josh Oduro (Providence)        1,736 pts/888 rbs
Ethan Porterfield (Indiana, Pa.)    1,723 pts/827 rbs
Wes Dreamer (Northwest Mo. St.)    1,721 pts/774 rbs
Tyrece Radford (Texas A&M)    1,713 pts/838 rbs
Jalen Vaughns (Newmann)        1,706 pts/758 rbs
Norchad Omier (Miami, Fla.)    1,703 pts/1,233 rbs

DREAMER, SCHEIERMAN SHARE COMPANY
Bearcat senior Wes Dreamer and Creighton senior Baylor Scheierman are the only two active NCAA men's basketball players to have reached 1,600 points, 700 rebounds and 300 made three-pointers.
    Dreamer has put up 1,721 points, 774 rebounds and 303 made three-pointers.
    Scheierman has posted 2,029 points, 1,147 rebounds and 320 made three-pointers at his two Division I stops (South Dakota State & Creighton).

DREAMER ONE OF 15 BEARCATS IN 1,000-POINT 500-REBOUND CLUB
Senior forward Wes Dreamer is one of 15 Bearcats to have tallied 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds at Northwest.

Northwest's 1,000 Pts & 500 Rbs
Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    2,191 pts/958 rbs
Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)    2,098 pts/948 rbs
Victor Coleman (1980-84)    1,759 pts/586 rbs
David Alvey (1973-77)    1,747 pts/677 rbs
Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    1,721 pts/774 rbs
Hunter Henry (2006-09)    1,592 pts/808 rbs
Joe Hurst (1982-86)    1,580 pts/777 rbs
Russ Miller (1976-80)    1,282 pts/837 rbs
Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)    1,203 pts/519 rbs
Matt Redd (1996-99)    1,200 pts/571 rbs
Don Sears (1966-70)    1,154 pts/874 rbs
Dillon Starzl (2011-14)    1,153 pts/518 rbs
Chris Ebou Ndow (2015-18)    1,134 pts/654 rbs
Bob Sundell (1986-89)    1,082 pts/574 rbs
Rick Jolley (1993-96)    1,054 pts/574 rbs

DREAMER RANKS NO. 7 ON ALL-TIME
BEARCAT REBOUNDING CHART
Senior forward Wes Dreamer has tallied 774 rebounds to rank No. 7 on the program's all-time boards list.
Northwest's Rebounds in a Career
1.     Diego Bernard (2018-23)            958    
2.     Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)            948
3.     Don Sears (1966-1970)            874
4.     Russ Miller (1976-1980)            837
5.     Hunter Henry (2006-2009)            808
6.     Joe Hurst (1983-1986)            777
7.    Wes Dreamer (2019-pres.)            774
8.     David Alvey (1973-1977)            677
9.     Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-2018)    654
10.     Victor Coleman (1981-1984)            586

DREAMER AMONG TOP-10 3-POINT SHOOTERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Senior Wes Dreamer has knocked in 303 career three-pointers to rank No. 3 in school history. Dreamer is one of four MIAA players to have reached 300 made three-pointers in a career.

MIAA Career 3-Pointers Made
1.     Trevor Hudgins (Northwest Mo. St. - 2018-22)        435
2.    Zach Schneider (Northwest Mo. St.. - 2013-17)        370
3.    Elyjah Clark (Missouri Southern - 2016-20)        365
4.    Wes Dreamer (Northwest Mo. St. - 2019-pr.)        303

Northwest 3-Pointers Made in a Career
1.     Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)    435
2.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)    370
3.    Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)    303
4.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)    285
5.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        271
6.    Ryan Welty (2016-20)        238
7.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)    215
8.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)    205
9.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)    173
10.    Joey Witthus (2017-19)    172

Northwest 3-Pointers Attempted in a Career
1.     Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)    936
2.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)    835
3.    Wes Dreamer (2019-pres.)    756
4.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)    695
5.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        624
6.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)    585
7.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)    485
8.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)    478
9.    Ryan Welty (2016-20)        466
10.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    453

DREAMER IS ONE OF 28 1,000-POINT SCORERS IN BEARCAT HISTORY
Bearcat senior forward Wes Dreamer is one of 28 1,000-point scorers in school history. Dreamer is only the ninth Bearcat to reach 1,700 career points. He ranks No. 9 in program history with 1,721 points in 150 career games (11.5 ppg).

Northwest's 1,000 Point Scorers
1.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)        2,829 pts
2.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)            2,459 pts
3.    Diego Bernard (2018-23)        2,191 pts
4.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)        2,098 pts
5.    Victor Coleman (1980-84)        1,795 pts
6.    David Alvey (1973-77)            1,747 pts
7.    Scott Fleming (1999-2003)        1,727 pts
8. Wes Dreamer (2019-pr.)        1,721 pts
9.     DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        1,702 pts
10.    Kelvin Parker (2000-04)        1,692 pts
11.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)        1,592 pts
12.    Joe Hurst (1982-86)            1,580 pts
13.    Conner Crooker (2012-16)        1,352 pts
14.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)        1,294 pts
15.    Elijah Allen (2008-11)            1,289 pts
16.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)        1,282 pts
    Russ Miller (1976-80)            1,282 pts
18. Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)        1,203 pts
19. Matt Redd (1996-99)            1,200 pts
20. Gerald Harris (1984-88)        1,198 pts
21. Don Sears (1966-70)            1,154 pts
22. Dillon Starzl (2011-14)        1,153 pts
23. Joey Witthus (2017-19)        1,150 pts
24. Glenn Phillips (1985-87)        1,147 pts
25. Luke Waters (2019-23)        1,135 pts
26. Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-18)        1,134 pts
27. Bob Sundell (1986-89)        1,082 pts
28. Rick Jolley (1993-96)            1,054 pts

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 3 IN WIN PERCENTAGE
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 3 among active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach with a mark of 384-90 in 15 years at Northwest.
    McCollum ranks No. 4 among all NCAA basketball head coaches (minimum of 10 years) in win percentage.
    He also ranks No. 7 all-time among all NCAA men's basketball coaches with at least 10 years head coaching experience.

NCAA Div. II Active Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .860 (514-84, 19 yrs.)
2. Tom Brown (West Texas A&M)    .816 (258-58, 10 yrs.)
3. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .810 (384-90, 15 yrs.)
4. Bob Bolen (Glenville State)    .786 (500-136, 20 yrs.)
5. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .781 (414-116, 18 yrs.)
6. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .758 (452-144, 21 yrs.)
7. Andy Bronkema (Ferris St.)    .721 (243-94, 11 yrs.)
8. Charlie Ernst (Findlay)    .718 (270-106, 13 yrs.)
9. Bob Pietrack (Fort Lewis)    .711 (180-73, 10 yrs.)
10. Dave Holmquist (Biola)    .707 (1,055-438, 47 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

NCAA All Divisions Active Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .860 (514-84, 19 yrs.)
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .833 (706-141, 25 yrs.)
3. Tom Brown (West Texas A&M)    .816 (258-58, 10 yrs.)
4. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .810 (384-90, 15 yrs.)
5. Matt Logie (Montana State)    .799 (287-72, 13 yrs.)
6. Josh Schertz (Indiana State)    .789 (393-105, 16 yrs.)
7. Bob Bolen (Glenville State)    .786 (500-136, 20 yrs.)
8. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .781 (414-116, 18 yrs.)
9. John Krikorian (Chris. Newport)    .770 (374-112), 17 yrs.)
10. Bill Self (Kansas)    .765 (791-243, 31 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

NCAA All Divisions All-Time Head Coach Win Percentage
1. Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern)    .860 (514-84, 19 yrs.)*
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .833 (704-141, 25 yrs.)*
3. Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn)    .824 (412-88, 21 yrs.)
4. Adolph Rupp (Kentucky)    .822 (876-190, 41 yrs.)
5. Tom Brown (West Texas A&M)    .816 (258-58, 10 yrs.)*
6. Bucky Harris (Jefferson)    .811 (240-56, 13 yrs.)
7. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .810 (384-90, 15 yrs.)*
8. Dolph Stanley (Beloit)    .810 (238-56, 12 yrs.)
9. John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA)    .804 (664-162, 29 yrs.)
10. Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma/Montana St.)    .799 (287-72, 13 yrs.)*
11. John Kresse (Coll. of Charleston)    .797 (560-143, 23 yrs.)
12. Josh Schertz (Indiana State)    .789 (393-105, 16 yrs.)*
13. Bob Bolen (Glenville State)    .786 (500-136, 20 yrs.)*
14. Dave Robbins (Virginia Union)    .786 (713-194, 30 yrs.)
15. Jerry Tarkanian (LBSU/UNLV/Fresno)    .784 (729-201, 31 yrs.)
* - active head coaches
Source: NCAA Statistics (Minimum of 10 Years Experience)

RARE COMPANY - LESS THAN 100 LOSSES WITH 10 YEARS OF HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE
Ben McCollum is one of seven active NCAA men's basketball head coaches to have less than 100 losses with at least 10 years of head coaching experience.

Matt Logie (Montana State)    72 losses (13 yrs.)
Jim Crutchfield (Nova SE)    84 losses (18 yrs.)
Josh Merkel (Randolph-Macon)    84 losses (13 yrs.)
Ben McCollum (NWMSU)    90 losses (15 yrs.)
Landry Kosmalski (Swarthmore)    92 losses (11 yrs.)
John Tauer (St. Thomas)    94 losses (13 yrs.)
Andy Bronkema (Ferris St.)    93 losses (11 yrs.)

MCCOLLUM VS. CURRENT MIAA FOES
Head coach Ben McCollum has a winning record against all 13 of Northwest's current MIAA foes.
    McCollum has recorded 20 or more wins against six MIAA opponents: Missouri Western (29), Lincoln (26), Washburn (23), Pittsburg State (22), Missouri Southern (20) and Emporia State (20)
    He is undefeated against Northeastern State (15-0), Rogers State (7-0) and Newman (5-0).

McCollum vs. Current MIAA Foes
Missouri Western    29-3
Lincoln            26-2
Washburn        24-10
Pittsburg State        22-5
Missouri Southern    20-11
Fort Hays State        19-7
Emporia State        20-7
Central Missouri    17-12
Nebraska-Kearney    16-1
Northeastern State    15-0
Central Oklahoma    14-3
Rogers State        7-0
Newman        5-0

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 5 IN MIAA WINS
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 5 on the MIAA's all-time head coaching wins list with 384.
    Former Bearcat leader Steve Tappmeyer holds down the No. 4 spot in league history with 408 wins when he was at Northwest.
    Ben McCollum has a mark of 236-63 in MIAA games only. McCollum is one of six head coaches in league history to record 200 or more MIAA regular season victories.

Coaching Victories as MIAA Members (as of 2/12/24)
1.     Bob Chipman (Washburn)    569
2.    Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)    516
3.    Robert Corn (Mo. Southern)    413
4.    Steve Tappmeyer (NW)    408
5.    Ben McCollum (NW)    384*
6.    Boyd King (Truman State)    379
7.    Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    340*
8.    Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    337
9.    Willard Sims (Truman State)    310
10.    A.J. McDonald (Missouri St.)    302
* - active head coaches

MIAA Regular Season Victories Only (as of 2/12/24)
1.    Bob Chipman (Washburn)    352
2.    Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)    281
3.    Ben McCollum (Northwest)    236*
4.    Robert Corn (Mo. Southern)    234
5.    Mark Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    216*
6.    Steve Tappmeyer (Northwest)    213
7.    Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    191
8.    Boyd King (Truman State)    159
9.    Willard Sims (Truman State)    130
10. A.J. McDonald (Missouri St.)    128
11.    Bill Thomas (Missouri St.)    117
* - active head coaches

3-0 VS. RANKED FOES THIS SEASON
Northwest is 3-0 this season against foes ranked in the NABC Top 25. The Bearcats began the season with a 65-47 win over No. 21 Northern State (Nov. 10). Northwest added a 63-59 victory over No. 15 Emporia State (Dec. 16). The Bearcats collected a 64-61 double-overtime triumph over No. 24 Fort Hays State (Feb. 3).
    Head coach Ben McCollum has posted a career record of 43-15 vs. ranked opponents. Northwest is 34-4 in its last 38 games vs. ranked opponents.

Bearcats vs. NABC Ranked Foes (Since 2016)
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 (10/10/23)
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 Nothern 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 (3/15/15)

100-POINT MARK
Northwest has scored 100 or more points 19 times under head coach Ben McCollum.

100-Point Games under McCollum
105-55 vs. Manhattan Christian (11/16/09)
104-67 vs. Graceland (11/28/09)
105-59 vs. Waldorf (12/16/13)
104-69 at Southwest Baptist (1/16/14)
103-58 vs. Missouri Valley (12/13/16)
100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/3/18)
100-66 vs. Midland (12/1/18)
108-58 vs. Simpson (12/30/18)
105-70 at Northeastern State (1/3/19)
111-83 vs. Pittsburg State (1/31/19)
100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
102-59 vs. William Jewell (11/21/19)
110-66 vs. Central Methodist (12/16/19)
101-66 vs. Simpson (1/1/20)
100-61 vs. Emporia State (3/3/21)
104-72 vs. Central Oklahoma (3/5/21)
101-63 vs. Missouri Western (12/18/21)
100-44 vs. Clarke (12/30/23)
105-53 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (2/1/24)

100 OR MORE IN MIAA REGULAR SEASON PLAY
Northwest put up 105 points in a 52-point win over Nebraska-Kearney. It is the fifth time that a McCollum coached Bearcat team has scored 100 or more in an MIAA regular season game

100-Point MIAA Games under McCollum
111 vs. Pittsburg State (Jan. 31, 2019)
105 vs. Northeastern State (Jan. 3, 2019)
105 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Feb. 1, 2024)
104 vs. Southwest Baptist (Jan. 16, 2014)
101 vs. Missouri Western (Dec. 18, 2021)

90-PLUS = SUCCESS
Northwest has posted a mark of 64-0 when scoring 90 or more points with head coach Ben McCollum. Northwest has put up three games of 90 or more points this season that includes a 91-82 win over Upper Iowa, a 100-44 victory over Clarke and a 105-53 throttling of Nebraska-Kearney.

'CATS, MCCOLLUM ROLLING IN BIG WINS
Under head coach Ben McCollum the Bearcats are 153-3 in games decided by 20 points or more.
    Northwest has won 151 consecutive games when the final scoring margin is 20 or more points. 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.

MCCOLLUM 8-7 IN 1-POINT GAMES
Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum is 8-7 in one-point games since taking over the Bearcat program.

One-Point Games Under Ben McCollum
L, 76-75 vs. Emporia State (2/21/22)
L, 60-59 vs. Washburn (2/19/22)
L, 76-75 OT at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
L, 69-68 vs. Washburn (3/6/21)
W, 77-76 vs. Missouri Southern (2/20/20)
W, 76-75 vs. Missouri Southern (1/27/16)
W, 66-65 at Augustana (3/15/15)
W, 59-58 at Missouri Western (2/4/15)
L, 60-59 vs. Central Missouri (3/18/14)
W, 79-78 vs. Missouri Southern (1/22/14)
L, 59-58 at Fort Hays State (2/16/13)
W, 52-51 vs. Emporia State (2/2/13)
W, 69-68 OT at Missouri Southern (1/3/13)
W, 65-64 vs. Pittsburg State (2/5/11)
L, 47-46 at Southwest Minnesota State (11/27/11)

OVERTIME IN MCCOLLUM ERA
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum is 11-7 in overtime contests since taking over the program in the 2009-10 season.

Overtime Games Under Ben McCollum
W, 64-61 vs. No. 24 Fort Hays State (2/3/24) -- Double OT
L, 76-75 at Central Oklahoma (1/20/22)
W, 91-86 at Northern State (3/16/21)
W, 88-85 at Washburn (2/20/21)
L, 84-82 vs. Washburn (1/7/21)
W, 72-70 vs. Northern State (11/3/18)
W, 79-74 vs. Upper Iowa (3/11/17)
W, 77-73 vs. Southwest Baptist (1/14/15)
L, 60-59 vs. Central Missouri (3/18/14)
W, 73-69 at Nebraska-Kearney (1/9/14)
L, 79-76 vs. Central Missouri (3/10/13)
W, 69-68 at Missouri Southern (1/3/13)
W, 73-66 vs. Lindenwood (12/5/12)
W, 94-87 at Truman State (2/15/12) -- Double OT
W, 73-70 vs. Pittsburg State (12/7/11)
L, 85-80 at Nebraska-Omaha (12/11/10)
L, 89-81 vs. Missouri Southern (2/27/10)
L, 92-83 vs. vs. Southwest Baptist (1/16/10)

SUFFOCATING DEFENSE FROM THE 'CATS
Northwest held Missouri-St. Louis to 41 points in a 30-point win on Nov. 22 in St. Louis.
    The 41 points allowed tied for the sixth-lowest output allowed under the leadership of head coach Ben McCollum.
    The lowest scoring output in the MIAA since the 1985-86 season (advent of the shot clock) was 32 points by Central Missouri against Missouri S&T (Feb. 13, 2002).

Fewest Points Allowed in Ben McCollum Era
36 at Nebraska-Kearney (1/26/23)
37 vs. Central Missouri (1/30/21)
38 vs. Lincoln (1/21/23)
40 vs. Saint Mary (11/14/20)
40 at Washburn (2/14/23)
41 vs. Graceland (11/18/10)
41 vs. Lindenwood (2/7/19)
41 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (11/22/23)
42 vs. Minn. Crookston (11/12/22)
43 vs. Waldorf (11/15/11)
43 vs. Emporia State (2/8/17)
43 vs. Simpson (12/30/17)
43 vs. Lincoln (2/1/18)
43 vs. Tabor (11/23/18)
43 vs. Bentley (3/22/22)
43 vs. Northeastern State (2/11/23)

10+ MIAA WINS IN 13 STRAIGHT SEASONS
Northwest captured its 10th MIAA win of the season at UCM with a 76-54 victory. It marks the 13th straight season that the Bearcats have won 10 or more league games.
    Northwest and Washburn are the only two MIAA schools to have won 10 or more league games in each of the last 13 years. Washburn extended its streak to 14 consecutive seasons this year.

10+ MIAA Wins (Consecutive Years)
1. Washburn (14)
2. Northwest Mo. St. (13)
3. Missouri Southern (10)
4. Fort Hays State (4)
5. Emporia State (3)
    Central Oklahoma (3)
7. Rogers State (2)
8. Lincoln (1)
    Pittsburg State (1)

WINS AFTER LOSSES
Head coach Ben McCollum has produced a mark of 22-1 in his last 23 games after a loss.
    The Bearcats are 4-0 in the games after losses this season.
    Northwest's only set of back-to-back losses in that 22-game stretch came against Emporia State on Feb. 21, 2022.

FIRST CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR JACKSON
Isaiah Jackson collected his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in a 64-61 double-overtime win over No. 24 Fort Hays State.
    Earlier this season, Wes Dreamer captured his ninth career double-double with a 22-point, 13-rebound effort against Emmanuel.

Career Double-Doubles
Wes Dreamer - 9
Byron Alexander - 1
Isaiah Jackson - 1

BEARCAT BREAKOUT VS UNK
Northwest tallied season-highs in points (105), three-pointers (18), field goal percentage (63.2%), three-point field goal percentage (60.0%) and assists (33) in its 52-point destruction of UNK.
    The 18 three-pointers and 33 assists are season-highs for any MIAA men's basketball team.
    Northwest's 33 assists vs. UNK are the most for the Bearcats in the Ben McCollum coaching era. The 33 assists is tied for the ninth-highest single-game total in NCAA Div. II basketball this year.

18 TRIPLES VS. UNK
Northwest's 18 made three-pointers vs. Nebraska-Kearney ties for the seventh-most in program history. It ranks as Northwest's fifth-best total in MIAA games.

Most 3-Pointers Made Single-Game
22 vs. Briar Cliff (Nov. 26, 2021)
20 vs. Manhattan Christian (Nov. 19, 2004)
20 vs. Central Missouri (Jan. 29, 2022)
19 vs. Northeastern State (Nov. 30, 2017)
19 vs. Northeastern State (Jan. 3, 2019)
19 vs. Emporia State (Jan. 9, 2021)
18 vs. Avila (Dec. 10, 1998)
18 vs. Northeastern State (Dec. 17, 2016)
18 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (Feb. 1, 2024)

FOURTH 50-POINT WIN UNDER MCCOLLUM'S DIRECTION
Northwest's 52-point win over Nebraska-Kearney was the fourth victory of 50 or more points under head coach Ben McCollum.

50-Point Wins over McCollum
100-44 (+56) vs. Clarke (Dec. 30, 2023)
105-53 (+52) vs. Neb.-Kearney (Feb. 1, 2024)
108-58 (+50) vs. Simpson (Dec. 30, 2018)
105-55 (+50) vs. Man. Christian (Nov. 16, 2009)

DREAMER'S 30-POINT HALF
Senior Wes Dreamer was simply unstoppable in his 30-point first-half performance against Clarke University (Dec. 30).
    Dreamer played 16 minutes and shot 11-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. Dreamer sank 6-of-7 at the charity stripe as he collected his third career 30-point scoring game.
    Dreamer's 30-point half was the most first-half points scored by a Bearcat since Justin Pitts put up 30 points in the first 20 minutes vs. Northeastern State (Nov. 30, 2017). Pitts buried 9-of-11 three-pointers in the first half against the RiverHawks en route to a 35-point night.

'CATS NET SEASON-HIGHS VS CLARKE
Northwest set a few season highs in its 100-44 holiday tuneup win over Clarke in Bearcat Arena.
    Northwest buried 37 field goals, 12 three-pointers and shot 60.7% from the floor. Northwest grabbed 42 rebounds and dished out 23 assists vs. the Pride.
    The Bearcats reached the 100-point mark for the first time since a 101-63  victory over Missouri Western (Dec. 18, 2021).
    Northwest's 37 made field goals was the most for the program since making 38 vs. Emporia State on March 3, 2021, in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament in Bearcat Arena.

BEARCATS BURY 31 FGS AT UNK
One game after its fewest made field goals in the Ben McCollum coaching era, Northwest put up 31 made field goals in an 83-53 win at Nebraska-Kearney.
    Northwest shot 59.6% from the floor and knocked in a season-high 11 three-pointers against the Lopers.

LIMITED BUCKETS AT FORT HAYS STATE
Northwest was held to 14 made field goals in its 57-49 loss at Fort Hays State. It marked the fewest field goals made by Northwest in the 15 years under the direction of head coach Ben McCollum.
    It was the fewest made field goals in a game since Northwest was held to 13 made baskets in a 62-52 loss at Washburn on Feb. 12, 2003.

BEARCATS BEGIN YEAR AT #1
For the sixth time in program history, Northwest began the season at No. 1 in the NABC's Preseason Top 25 Poll. The Bearcats were also tabbed No. 1 in the preseason polls in 2017-18, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23.

NORTHWEST IS NATIONAL NAME
Northwest is 41-22 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

'CATS HAVE SEVEN 30-WIN SEASONS
Northwest reached the 30-win mark for the seventh time in program history last year and has done so in five of the last seven seasons.
    Northwest's 34 wins in 2021-22 ranks as the third-best single-season total in program history.
    Northwest set its single-season win mark in 2018-19 when the Bearcats won 38 games en route to the national championship.
    
Northwest's 30-Win Seasons
38-0 - 2018-19 (National Champions)
35-1 - 2016-17 (National Champions)
34-5 - 2021-22 (National Champions)
31-0 - 1929-30 (NCAA Tournament not contested)
31-6 - 1930-31 (NCAA Tournament not contested)
31-1 - 2019-20 (NCAA Tournament not contested)
31-3 - 2022-23 (NCAA Tournament - 2nd Round)

ONLY 26 LOSSES SINCE START OF 2015-16
Northwest has dropped only 26 games since the start of the 2015-16 season.
    Northwest has lost by double digits only six times since the start of the 2015-16 season.
    The 19-point margin at Emporia State on Feb. 8, 2022, is Northwest's largest losing margin since a 22-point loss at Southwest Minnesota State (72-50) on Nov. 10, 2013.

Northwest Losses (Margin) Since 2015-16
6 - 76-70 at Missouri Western (1/13/24)
8 - 57-49 at Fort Hays State (12/7/23)
3 - 75-72 vs. Emmanuel (11/18/23)
7 - 63-56 vs. Southwest Minnesota State (11/11/23)
4 - 61-57 vs. Southern Nazarne (3/12/23)
11 - 69-58 at Central Oklahoma (1/12/23)
9 - 74-65 at Emporia State (12/17/22)
1 - 76-75 vs. Emporia State (2/21/22)
1 - 60-59 vs. Washburn (2/19/22)
19 - 75-56 at Emporia State (2/8/22)
1 - 76-75 OT at Central Okla. (1/20/22)
6 - 83-77 vs. Sioux Falls (11/13/21)
1 - 69-68 vs. Washburn (3/6/21)
2 - 84-82 OT vs. Washburn (1/7/21)
12 - 72-60 at Central Missouri (12/7/19)
10 - 60-50 vs. Minnesota State (3/10/18)
3 - 73-70 vs. Missouri Southern (2/17/18)
7 - 66-59 at Neb.-Kearney (1/18/18)
6 - 83-77 at Missouri Southern (1/4/18)
17 - 88-71 at Missouri Southern (2/18/17)
2 - 80-78 at Augustana (3/15/16)
7 - 70-63 at Emporia State (1/13/16)
16 - 68-52 at Lindenwood (12/20/15)
5 - 79-74 at Lincoln (12/18/15)
2 - 79-77 at Augustana (11/19/15)
4 - 76-72 vs. Upper Iowa (11/13/15)

BEARCATS IN THE NABC POLL
Northwest fell out of the NABC Top 25 poll on Dec. 12. It snapped a streak of 120 straight weeks that the Bearcats had been ranked in the top 25. Northwest regained its national ranking in the Dec. 19 poll.
    Northwest has been ranked in the NABC Top 25 poll 238 times in this history of its program. Northwest is tied with Florida Southern

Consecutive weeks ranked in NABC Top 25
149, West Liberty (2/2/2010-12/10/2019)
120, Northwest Missouri State (1/26/2016-12/5/2023)
95, Lincoln Memorial (12/7/2010-12/13/2016)
91, Bellarmine (11/18/2014-2/11/2020)
83, West Texas A&M (11/15/2017-12/13/2022)
76, Salem (1/21/1997-3/11/2003)
76, Grambling (1/5/1961-3/9/1967)
71, Kentucky Wesleyan (11/24/1997-12/16/2003)
68, Cal State-Bakersfield (1/27/1992-12/7/1998)
65, Augusta (1/30/2007-3/8/2011)
65, Stephen F. Austin (12/12/1968-3/8/1973)

Consecutive weeks in NABC Top 10
104, West Liberty (12/13/2011-2/27/2018)
92, Northwest Missouri State (3/8/2016-2/22/2022)
76, Grambling (1/5/1961-3/9/1967)
70, Kentucky Wesleyan (11/24/1997-3/11/2003)
47, Kentucky Wesleyan (12/29/1966-2/5/1970)
45, West Texas A&M (2/5/2019-1/25/2022)
43, Evansville (1/10/1963-3/3/1966)
43, Nova Southeastern (12/14/2021-pres.) ACTIVE
40, Wittenberg (3/9/1961-2/4/1965)
39, Ashland (12/12/1968-3/11/1971)
38, Salem (1/28/1997-2/21/2000)

Consecutive weeks in NABC Top 5
60, Northwest Missouri State (3/6/2018-2/15/2022)
40, Grambling (3/2/1961-1/28/1965)
37, Nova Southeastern (1/4/2021-1/9/2024)
36, West Liberty (1/10/2012-2/11/2014)
35, Evansville (1/24/1963-1/20/1966)
32, Kentucky Wesleyan (12/29/1966-1/23/1969)
26, Bentley (12/12/2006-3/11/2008)
26, Southern Illinois (2/18/1965-3/9/1967)
25, Northwest Missouri State (11/15/2016-1/16/2018)
24, Ashland (12/12/1968-2/19/1970)
24, Jefferson (2/24/1992-1/22/1995)
24, Indiana (Pa.) (1/18/2022-3/7/2023

Consecutive weeks in NABC #1 Ranked Team
19, Evansville (1/30/1964-3/4/1965)
15, Nova Southeastern (1/17/2023-1/2/2024)
15, Findlay (11/25/2008-3/10/2009)
15, Northwest Missouri State (1/28/2020-3/2/2021)
14, Winona State (11/28/2006-3/6/2007)
14, Bentley (11/28/2007-3/11/2008)
11, Indiana (Pa.) (1/1/1995-12/18/1995)
10, Northwest Missouri State (12/6/2016-2/14/2017)
10, Bellarmine (11/13/2018-1/29/2019)
10, Northwest Missouri State (1/29/2019-12/3/2019)
10, Lubbock Christian (11/23/2021-2/1/2022)

Most weeks ranked 
356, Kentucky Wesleyan
277, Southern Indiana
238, Florida Southern
238, Northwest Missouri State
233, West Liberty
219, Virginia Union
219, Indiana (Pa.)
184, Lincoln Memorial
179, Bellarmine
172, MSU Denver
167, Findlay

Most weeks ranked in top 10 
258, Kentucky Wesleyan
177, West Liberty
153, Southern Indiana
150, Virginia Union
148, Northwest Missouri State
135, Bellarmine
131, Indiana (Pa.)
124, Florida Southern
117, Lincoln Memorial
107, MSU Denver

Most weeks ranked in top 5 
161, Kentucky Wesleyan
130, Northwest Missouri State
120, West Liberty
100, Bellarmine
98, Virginia Union
81, Indiana (Pa.)
76, Florida Southern
75, Southern Indiana
72, MSU Denver
68, Lincoln Memorial

Most weeks ranked No. 1
53, Northwest Missouri State
52, Kentucky Wesleyan
46, West Liberty
33, Virginia Union
27, Bellarmine
26, Evansville
25, Cal State-Bakersfield
22, Florida Southern
21, Nova Southeastern
20, MSU Denver
18, Indiana (Pa.)
18, Kentucky State

NORTHWEST TALLIES LEAGUE-BEST 23RD MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLE
Northwest captured its 10th straight MIAA regular season title and a league-record 23rd overall crown.

MIAA Regular Season Titles
Northwest - 23
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

MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
Northwest Missouri State has been picked first in the 2023-24 MIAA preseason men's basketball coaches and media polls.

2023-24 MIAA Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State [11] – 166 points
2. Emporia State [1] – 151 points
3. Fort Hays State [1] – 147 points
4. Central Oklahoma [1] – 138 points
5. Missouri Southern – 120 points
6. Washburn – 106 points
7. Missouri Western – 92 points
8. Rogers State – 88 points
9. Northeastern State – 60 points
10. Central Missouri – 59 points
11. Pittsburg State – 55 points
12. Lincoln – 46 points
13. Newman – 24 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 22 points
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2023-24 MIAA Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State [19] – 291 points
2. Central Oklahoma [2] – 260 points
3. Emporia State – 252 points
4. Fort Hays State – 229 points
5. Missouri Southern – 193 points
6. Lincoln – 163 points
7. Washburn – 162 points
8. Missouri Western – 141 points
9. Rogers State – 138 points
10. Central Missouri – 110 points
11. Pittsburg State – 96 points
12. Northeastern State – 87 points
13. Newman – 47 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 36 points

PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AT THE PALMS
Northwest head coach Ben McCollum will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 1 p.m. for a press conference at The Palms in Maryville.