Friday, March 15 | Bethany, Okla. | Sawyer Center
Northwest Missouri State vs. Fort Hays State | Noon
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BEARCATS GAIN 7TH NCAA TOURNAMENT BID
The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team (23-7) earned its seventh NCAA Div. II Tournament appearance with an at-large bid. Northwest is the No. 6 seed in the Central Region hosted by Southern Nazarene in Bethany, Okla.

FAMILIAR FOE AWAITS IN FIRST ROUND
Northwest will take on No. 3 seeded Fort Hays State in the first quarterfinal game at 12 p.m. on Friday. Northwest and Fort Hays State played on Saturday in the MIAA semifinals in Kansas City. FHSU scored a 56-49 win over the Bearcats. FHSU holds a 2-1 lead in the series this season. Northwest captured a 69-55 win over then-No. 15-ranked FHSU in Maryville on Feb. 3. FHSU tallied a 62-48 win in Hays, Kan., on Dec. 7.

CATCH THE ACTION
Fans will have three viewing options: $9.95 per contest, $29.95 for all Division II Women's Basketball Championship games excluding the semifinals and championship game, and $49.95 for all Division II Women's and Men's Basketball Championship games, excluding the semifinals and championship games. The semifinals and finals of the DII Women's Basketball Championship will be carried on CBS Sports Network. The semifinals and finals of the DII Men's Basketball Championship will continue to be carried on CBS Sports Network and CBS, respectively.

FIRST NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2011
The Bearcats earned the program's seventh all-time bid into the NCAA Tournament. Northwest also played in the NCAA Tournament in 1984, 1990, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011. Northwest is 6-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.

THREE FIRST-ROUND WINS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Northwest is 3-3 in NCAA first-round games. The Bearcats have scored first-round victories over Lewis (W, 81-63 in 1984), West Texas A&M (W, 72-71 OT in 2008) and Texas Women's (W, 92-73 in 2011).

BEARCATS HISTORY IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Bearcats earned the program's seventh all-time bid into the NCAA Tournament. Northwest also played in the NCAA Tournament in 1984, 1990, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011. Northwest is 6-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.

Northwest's NCAA Tournament Games
1984
Northwest 81, Lewis 63
Dayton 97, Northwest 69

1990
West Texas A&M 62, Northwest 48

2004
Washburn 65, Northwest 64

2007
West Texas A&M 87, Northwest 72

2008
Northwest 72, West Texas A&M 71 (OT)
Emporia State 83, Northwest 71

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

20-WIN SEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2010-11
The Bearcats put up a 20-win season for only the ninth time. Northwest's 23 wins ranks as the fourth-most in program history.

20-Win Seasons
29-5 - 2010-11
25-5 - 1983-84
24-7 - 2003-04
23-7 - 2023-24
21-7 - 1974-75
20-8 - 1975-76
20-8 - 1977-78
20-11 - 1979-80
20-10 - 1989-90

SECOND-MOST MIAA WINS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Northwest's 16 conference wins this season rank as the second-most in program history. Only bested by the 2010-11 team that went 18-4 in league play and won the regular season MIAA crown.

TWO WINS OVER RANKED FOES
Northwest has recorded two wins this season over ranked opponents. The Bearcats scored a 76-68 win over No. 16-ranked Central Missouri on Jan. 25. The Bearcats also produced a 69-55 victory over No. 15-ranked Fort Hays State on Feb. 3.
    These are the first two wins over ranked opponents in the coaching career of Austin Meyer.

HARTNETT JOINS TOP-10 SCORING LIST AT NORTHWEST
Junior guard Molly Hartnett has scored 1,426 points to rank No. 9 on the all-time points scored list at Northwest. Hartnett has played in and started 111 games and averages 12.8 points per contest.

Northwest Career Points Scored
1. Janet Clark (1986-89)  -  2,121
2. Danae Wagner (1989-92)  -  1,538
3. Patty Painter (1978-81)  -  1,511
4. Diane Kloewer (1981-84)  -  1,489
5. Denise Sump (1997-00)  -  1,471
6. Laura Frederich (2003-06)  -  1,449
7. Tanya Meyer (2015-18)  -  1,446
8. Marla Sapp (1982-85)  -  1,445
9. Molly Hartnett (2020-pr.) - 1,426
10. Mandi Schumacher (2005-08)  -  1,411

HARTNETT BECOMES THIRD BEARCAT IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH 1,400 POINTS & 300 ASSISTS
Junior guard Molly Hartnett became only the third Bearcat to record 1,400 points and 300 assists in a career.
    Hartnett has put up 1,426 points and 323 assists. Hartnett is joined in that exclusive group by Janet Clark (2,121 points / 320 assists) and Marla Sapp (1,445 points / 302 assists).
    Hartnett ranks No. 6 in assists in Bearcat history.

Northwest Career Assists
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-pr. - 323
7 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
9. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
10. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287

MOLLY IS MONEY AT THE LINE
Junior Molly Hartnett has made 383-of-454 at the free throw line in her Bearcat career for an 84.4% clip. She ranks No. 2 in program history in free throw percentage.

Northwest Career Free Throw Percentage
1. Kendey Eaton, 2018-20 - 91.2
2. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 84.4
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

HARTNETT GAINS MIAA "A GAME" SCHOLAR AWARD
Among all the players on qualifying teams in the MIAA, Northwest's Molly Hartnett was selected as the women's championship's "A Game" Scholar-Athlete, presented by Mammoth.
    Established by the MIAA in 2022, the Mammoth "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award acknowledges the overall excellence of a student-athlete by recognizing one individual who has contributed to their team's success, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers. The student-athlete honored with the "A Game" Scholar-Athlete Award must be an active member of a qualifying team and must have a minimum of two terms completed at the institution.
    Hartnett is a 5-9 guard on the Bearcats basketball team. A junior from Overland Park, Kan., Hartnett owns a perfect 4.0 grade point average as an elementary education major with 114 credits completed.

GREEN HOLDS TOP SPOT FOR BLOCKS AS A BEARCAT
Senior forward Jayna Green owns the Bearcat career blocked shots record with 192. She has posted a career-high 52 blocks this season, which ranks as the fourth-most in a single season.
    Green swatted a career-high seven shots against Washburn on Feb. 10, which ranks tied for the fifth-most in a single game in Bearcat history.

Northwest Career Blocked Shots
1. Jayna Green, 2019-pres. - 192
2. Sarah Vollertsen, 2002-04 - 122
3. Shelby Mustain, 2014-16 - 107
4. Maggie Marnin, 2011-15 - 100
5. Gentry Dietz, 2009-11 - 99
     Kyla Roehrig, 2010-11 - 99
7. Jenna Wolfe, 2001-04 - 94
8. Tember Schechinger, 2013-16 - 85
9. Lori Schneider, 1986-89 - 83
10. Danae Wagner, 1987-90 - 58

Northwest Season Blocked Shots
1. Kyla Roehrig, 2010-11 - 99
2. Gentry Dietz, 2009-10 - 57
3. Sarah Vollertsen, 2003-04 - 55
4. Jayna Green, 2023-24 - 52
5. Maggie Marnin, 2011-12 - 46
6. Shelby Mustain, 2015-16 - 43
    Jayna Green, 2021-22 - 43
8. Maggie Marnin, 2012-13 - 41
    Rickeya McElroy, 2008-09 - 41
    Cheryl Johnson, 1985-86 - 41

Northwest Game Blocked Shots
1. - Kyla Roehrig vs. Truman (3/4/11) - 9
2. - Sarah Vollertsen vs. Rockhurst (12/17/03) - 8
3. - Kyla Roehrig vs. Fort Hays (12/18/10) - 7
Shelby Mustain vs. Univ. of Saint Mary (12/18/13) - 7
Jayna Green vs. Washburn (2/10/24) - 7

GREEN'S DEFENSIVE PROWESS IS EVERYWHERE
Senior forward Jayna Green has tallied 135 career steals to ranks No. 9 in program history. Green has been credited with 45 steals this season and earned a spot on the MIAA All-Defensive Team.
    Green also ranks No. 10 on the Bearcat all-time reboundin chart with 671 career caroms.

Northwest Steals in a Career
1. Sandy (Cummings) Nelson, 1987-90 - 406
2. Pam Cummings, 1994-97 - 327
3. Kelli Nelson, 2005-08 - 262
4. Lisa Kenkel, 1988-91 - 219
5. Kim Scamman, 1982-85 - 215
6. Janet Clark, 1985-88 - 204
7. Monica Booth, 1980-83 - 160
8. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 145
9. Jayna Green, 2019-pres. - 135
10. Tember Schechinger, 2013-16 - 127
Meghan Brue, 2004-09 - 127

Northwest Rebounds in a Career
1. Julie Chadwick, 1978-81 - 1,006
2. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 763
3. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 733
4. Kelly Leintz, 1985-88 - 710
5. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 706
6. Jodi Giles, 1979-82 - 702
7. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 694
7. Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 694
9. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 686
10. Jayna Green, 2019-pr. - 671

CAELY KEEPS CATS ROLLING
Junior guard Caely Kesten has put together one of her best seasons with the Bearcat basketball program. Kesten has piled up 369 total points this season, averaging a career-best 12.3 points per game, steals (23), blocks (8), assists (42), rebounds (111), and overall minutes played (828). Kesten scored a career-high 24 points against Missouri Western on Jan. 13.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORING GAMES THIS SEASON
Molly Hartnett - 18
Caely Kesten - 18
Lindsey Kelderman - 13
Kelsey Fields - 8
Laini Joseph - 6
Jayna Green - 5
Peyton Kelderman - 5
Emma Atwood - 5
Evelyn Vasquez - 1

CAREER 20-POINT SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 17
Caely Kesten - 4
Kelsey Fields - 2
Jayna Green - 1
Peyton Kelderman - 1

CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Kelsey Fields - 10
Molly Hartnett - 4
Jayna Green - 4

PEYTON IS POPPING TRIPLES
Junior guard Peyton Kelderman remains at No. 6 in program history in career three-pointers (141). This season, Kelderman is averaging 4.5 points per game, while knocking in 37 three-point shots.

Northwest's Three-Pointers in a Career
1. Jaelyn Haggard (2017-21)     256
2. Kelli Nelson (2005-08)    202
3. Shelly Martin (2008-10)    170
4. Laura Friederich (2003-06)    163
5. Brooke Hogue (2002-04)    143
6. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    141
7. Mallory McAndrews (2015-19)    139
8. Tanya Meyer (2014-18)    132
9. Katie O'Grady, (2004-07)    125
10. Ashleigh Nelson (2011-2014)    121
11. Lauren Williams (2015-08)    106

NORTHWEST'S ALL-MIAA HONORS
Senior forward Jayna Green was named to the all-MIAA Defensive team, Junior guard Molly Hartnett earned all-MIAA second team, and Junior guard Caely Kesten earned all-MIAA third team.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TANDEM AGAINST UCO
Molly Hartnett and Jayna Green recorded their fourth career double-doubles, respectively, in a 77-72 win over Central Oklahoma. Hartnett piled up 16 points and 11 assists, while Green put up 18 points and 10 rebounds. Hartnett and Green post the 'Cats first pair of double-doubles in a single game since Tanya Meyer and Maria Dentlinger recorded double-double performances against Lincoln on Feb. 2, 2017.

SOME COMEBACKS THIS SEASON
Six times this season, Northwest has trailed by eight points or more and come back to win the game. Norhtwest faced a 16-point deficit against Emporia State and rallied for a 55-48 overtime win over the Hornets Dec. 16 in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest's Comeback Wins This Season
Trailed 11 vs. Minnesota Crookston (1Q)
Trailed 11 vs. Nebraska Kearney (3Q)
Trailed 16 vs. Emporia State (2Q)
Trailed 8 vs. Augustana (1Q)
Trailed 9 vs. Northeastern State (3Q)
Trailed 8 vs. Central Missouri (3Q)

MIAA TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS
Northwest reached the MIAA Tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2011 season. The Bearcats knocked off No. 7-seeded Nebraska-Kearney in the quarterfinals, 64-42. Northwest suffered a 56-49 setback against No. 3-seeded Fort Hays State in the semifinals at Municipal Auditorium.

BEARCAT COACHING VICTORIES
Head coach Austin Meyer enters the NCAA Tournament with a coaching mark of 82-87 in his sixth season at the helm of the Bearcat program. Meyer ranks No. 3 in program history in coaching victories.

Northwest Coaching Wins
1. Wayne Winstead (1980-99) - 311
2. Gene Steinmeyer (2000-12) - 189
3. Austin Meyer (2018-pr.) - 82
4. Sherri Reeves (1972-75) - 61
5. John Poulson (1977-79) - 53

Northwest NCAA Tournament Coaching Record
Gene Steinmeyer - 5-4 (4 Appearances)
Wayne Winstead - 1-2 (2 Appearances)
Austin Meyer - 0-0 (1st Appearance)

TOP 25 POLL TALK
Northwest was not ranked this season but did receive votes in five different WBCA Top 25 polls.
    The last time Northwest was ranked in the poll came Nov. 1, 2011 when the 'Cats were at No. 15.

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 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)

PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AT THE PALMS
Northwest Head Coach Austin Meyer will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 2 p.m. for a press conference at the Palms.