Saturday, Feb. 1 | 3:30 p.m. (CT) | MWSU Fieldhouse | St. Joseph, Mo.
Northwest Missouri State at Missouri Western
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BEARCATS, GRIFFONS SQUARE OFF SATURDAY IN ST. JOE
The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (4-15 overall, 2-8 MIAA) will make the short trip to St. Joseph, Mo., Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. tip vs. the Missouri Western Griffons (13-7 overall, 5-5 MIAA).

ALL-TIME VS. GRIFFONS
Northwest holds a 67-37 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri Western.
    The Griffons have won two straight in the series for the first time in 26 years after snapping a 24-game losing skid against the Bearcats Jan. 7, 2008, at the MWSU Fieldhouse, 66-63. MWSU also recorded a 70-66 victory over Northwest on Dec. 3 in Maryville, Mo.
    Northwest has not lost three consecutive games against Missouri Western since the Griffons won four in a row from Feb. 21, 1998 to Feb. 20, 1999.
    Missouri Western has not swept a season series against Northwest since winning all three matchups against the Bearcats in the 1996-97 season.

THREE-POINT DEFENSE
Northwest is holding the opposition to 29.9% made shots from three-point land, which ranks first in the MIAA.
    Northwest ranks No. 27 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense.
    Bearcat opponents have made 123-of-412 shots from three-point range through 19 games.

THREE ROAD WINS
Northwest has registered three road wins this season.
    Northwest gained its third road victory of the season with a 63-62 triumph at Central Missouri.
    The Bearcats are 2-3 on the road in MIAA play having scored wins at Emporia State (W, 65-54) and at Central Missouri (W, 63-62).
    Northwest also recorded an 83-80 non-conference road win at Central Washington on Dec. 16.

TRIPLE THREAT
Northwest is the only MIAA program that has three players with 30 or more made three-pointers this season.
    Freshman Marcus Glock has drained 36 from three-point range. Senior Luke Moustakas has made 35 three-pointers, while senior Emorie Knox has buried 30 from distance.

RAINING IN TRIPLES
Northwest sank 11 three-pointers against No. 1-ranked Washburn to reach double-figures in three-pointers made for the fifth time this season.
    It is the second time this season Northwest has buried 10 or more three-pointers in consecutive games.

Most 3-Points FGs Made This Season
13 at Emporia State (12/5/24)
11 vs. UC-Colorado Springs (11/15/24)
11 vs. Washburn (1/22/25)
10 vs. Chadron State (11/14/24)
10 at Fort Hays State (1/18/25)

MOOSE KNOCKS IN 21 AGAINST NO. 1-RANKED WASHBURN
Senior guard Luke Moustakas tied his career-high with 21 points and made five three-pointers in an 80-69 loss to No. 1-ranked Washburn.
    Moustakas ranks second on the team with 35 made three-pointers. He is averaging 9.7 points per game.

GLOCK CAN FLAT OUT SHOOT
Over his last 15 games, freshman Marcus Glock has rarely missed from any spot on the floor.
    Glock is averaging 10.9 points per game and has drained 36 of his last 61 3-point shots (59.0%).
    Overall in his last 15 games, Glock has made 49-of-91 field goals (53.8%).
    In MIAA games only, Glock has made 26-of-47 three-pointers (55.3%) to lead the conference in 3-point field goal percentage.
    Glock ranks fifth in the MIAA in 3-pointers made (26) in conference games only.
    To qualify for the NCAA leaders, players must make 2.5 three-pointers per game. If Glock qualified, he would rank No. 1 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage this season (51.4%).

3-Point FG % (MIAA Games Only)
1. Marcus Glock (Northwest Mo. St.)    .553
2. Jack Bachelor (Washburn)    .473
3. Avery Taggert (Pittsburg St.)    .472
4. R.J. Forney (Pittsburg St.)    .439
5. Braydon Shorter (Washburn)    .364

3-Point FGs Made (MIAA Games Only)
1. Braydon Shorter (Washburn)    36
2. Avery Taggert (Pittsburg St.)    34
3. Marcus Glock (Northwest Mo. St.)    26
    Jack Bachelor (Washburn)    26
5. R.J. Forney (Pittsburg St.)    25

13 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A 3
Freshman Marcus Glock has made at least one three-pointer in 13 straight games.
    He has made two more more three-pointers in 12 contests this season.
    Glock made a season-best five three-pointers at Fort Hays State. Glock missed his first two attempts against the Tigers, but then proceeded to make five of his last six shots from distance at Gross Memorial Coliseum as he led the Bearcats with 18 points.

MARCUS MAKES SHOTS
Freshman Marcus Glock leads the Bearcats with 36 made three-pointers this season. His 36 made three-pointers ranks tied for No. 8 in the MIAA.
    Glock has drained 36-of-70 (51.4%) three-pointers field goals.
    Glock is shooting 49.5% from the field overall having made 50-of-101 shots from the floor.
    Glock has sank 34-of-42 (81.0%) of his free throws as well.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Senior forward Byron Alexander has been credited with a pair of career highs in rebounding this season with 11 boards in both contests against Nebraska-Kearney. Alexander leads the Bearcats in rebounding (5.8 rpg) and ranks No. 13 in the MIAA.
    Alexander has played in 142 career games (41 starts) and has scored 810 points as a Bearcat. He has recorded 467 rebounds and has tallied 100 steals.
    Alexander is the active NCAA Div. II leader in games played (142). Alexander ranks No. 3 on Northwest's all-time games played chart.
    Alexander ranks No. 12 in field goal percentage (.618) on the NCAA Div. II active career list.

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Games
1. Byron Alexander (NWMSU)    142
2. Jimmy Scholler (Ferris St.)    140
3. Cameron Kahn (Dallas Baptist)    134
4. Luke Burnett (Ala.-Huntsville)    133
5. Charlie Katona (Minn.-Duluth)    132

Northwest All-Time Games Played
1. Diego Bernard (2018-23)        169
2. Wes Dreamer (2019-24)        159
3. Byron Alexander (2020-pr.)    142
4. Trevor Hudgins (2018-22)    139
5. Ryan Welty (2016-20)        134
6. Zach Schneider (2013-17)    133
7. Brett Dougherty (2014-18)    132
8. Ryan Hawkins (2017-21)        131
9. Luke Waters (2019-23)        130
10. Daniel Abreu (2020-24)        128

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Field Goal Percentage
1. Caleb Van De Griend (Minot St.)    .730
2. Daniel Saylor (Ala.-Huntsville)    .681
3. Maceo Williams (Ashland)    .671
4. Drew Stover (Millersville)        .661
5. Naoh Boler-Kyle (Lee)        .652
6. Jose Murillo (Eastern New Mexico)    .648
7. Robert Briley (Southeastern Okla.)    .634
8. William Becker (UCCS)        .632
9. Luke Haasl (Central Oklahoma)    .622
10. Mahmoud Bangura (Lincoln Mem.)    .620
11. De'Shaun Cooper (CSU Pueblo)    .618
12. Byron Alexander (NWMSU)    .618

Northwest'a All-Time Field Goal Percentage Leaders
1. Byron Alexander (2020-pr.)    .618 (283-458)
2. Dillon Starzl (2010-14)        .608 (444-730)
3. Bennett Stirtz (2022-24)        .601 (152-253)
4. Tyler Dougherty (2016-20)    .594 (129-217)
5. Matt Withers (2005-08)        .583 (322-552)
6. Jake Reinders (2008-12)        .570 (211-370)
7. Brett Dougherty (2014-18)    .566 (390-689)
8. Isaiah Jackson (2020-24)        .564 (137-243)
9. Luke Waters (2019-23)        .563 (414-735)
10. Rick Jolley (1994-96)        .555 (407-733)

KNOX LEADS THE WAY
Senior guard Emorie Knox tops the team in scoring at 13.2 points per game and assists at 3.68 assists per game.
    Knox ranks third on the squad with 32 three-pointers made.     
    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 third-highest scoring game this season by an individual in an MIAA contest.

MIAA Most Points Scored in League Game (2024-25)
1. 34 - Jordan Frison, Pittsburg St. vs. Mo. Southern (1/25/25)
2. 30 - Israel Hart, Central Oklahoma vs. Neb.-Kearney (1/23/25)
3. 29 - Emorie Knox, Northwest Mo. St. at Emporia St. (12/5/24)
    29 - Ethan Blackmon, Northeastern St. vs. Mo. Southern (1/4/25)

RATIGAN SWATTING SHOTS
Jack Ratigan ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in blocked shots per game (1.21). Ratigan has swatted 23 shots this season. He has blocked at least one shot in 13 of the 19 games this season.
    Ratigan ranks second on the Bearcats in rebounds per game (5.7). Ratigan ranks No. 14 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.

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 NOTES
Senior Emorie Knox secured his 12th double-figure scoring game of the season with a 15-point effort against Central Missouri. Knox has put up 37 career double-figure scoring games at Charleston Southern (7), Ouachita Baptist (18) and Northwest (12).
    Junior Ja'Vion Byers notched his third 10-point game of the season against UCM. Byers tallied 10 points off the bench on 4-of-8 shooting vs. the Mules.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 37
Byron Alexander - 27
Luke Moustakas - 14
Marcus Glock - 8
Spencer Schomers - 6
Jack Ratigan - 6
Trey Moala - 5
Ja'Vion Byers - 3
Padraig Gallagher - 2
Blake Danitschek - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 7
Luke Moustakas - 2
Marcus Glock - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Emorie Knox - 1

FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK; WORST SINCE 2011
Northwest has lost five games in a row heading into Saturday's matchup with Missouri Western. The five-game losing streak is the longest in the program since a six-game skid in the 2010-11 season. Northwest lost six MIAA games in a row from Jan. 8, 2011 to Jan 26, 2011.

NOT MANY WHISTLES
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in fewest fouls called against them this season.
    Northwest is being whistled for 14.7 fouls per game, which ranks No. 32 in the country. Washburn leads the MIAA with 14.6 fouls per game.

SEARCHING FOR HOME WIN
Northwest is looking for its first home win of the season and the first home win of head coach Matt Keeley's Bearcat coaching career.
    Northwest is one of three NCAA Div. II teams to have not won a home game this year. University of Mary is 0-9 at home and Cal State San Marcos is 0-8 on his home court. Northwest is 0-6 this season at Bearcat Arena.
    The last time Northwest lost six home games in a season came in the 2010-11 season when the Bearcats dropped seven home decisions in Ben McCollum's second season at the helm of the program. Northwest went 7-7 at home in the 2010-11 campaign.

MOOSE FOR THE WIN
Senior Luke Moustakas made a three-pointer with :04.9 left to lift the Bearcats to a 63-62 road win over the Central Missouri Mules.
    Moustakas had missed his previous five tries from three-point range before head coach Matt Keeley drew up the game-winner in a timeout with :14.9 left for him.

JADIN BREAKS OUT
Junior transfer guard Jadin Johnson scored a career-high nine points and grabbed a career-best five rebounds in 18 minutes of action at Washburn.
    Johnson also knocked in the first two three-pointers of his collegiate career.
    Johnson entered the game against the No. 2-ranked Ichabods having played in six games and had scored five points on the season.

MOALA MAKES FIRST START
Sophomore Trey Moala made his first career start at Central Missouri. Moala had come off the bench in his previous 39 collegiate contests.

RATIGAN FROM DEEP
Sophomore forward Jack Ratigan made his first career three-pointer in Northwest's 63-62 win at Central Missouri.
    As the shot clock wound down in the final minute of the first half, Ratigan rained in a triple from the top of the key to give Northwest a 38-29 lead the break.
    Ratigan posted eight points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and a career-best six assists against the Mules.

THREE ROAD WINS
Northwest has registered three road wins this season.
    Northwest gained its third road victory of the season with a 63-62 triumph at Central Missouri.
    The Bearcats are 2-3 on the road in MIAA play having scored wins at Emporia State (W, 65-54) and at Central Missouri (W, 63-62).
    Northwest also recorded an 83-80 non-conference road win at Central Washington on Dec. 16.

NORTHWEST HELD UNDER 40
Northwest was limited to 39 points in a 58-39 loss Thursday at home to Fort Hays State.
    Northwest was held under 40 points for the first time since the 1959-60 season when the Bearcats scored a 39-38 win over Southeast Missouri State.

IT'S BEEN AWHILE SINCE 10 Ls
Northwest sits at 4-12 with double-digit losses for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 176-21, including a tally of 120-15 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 131-15. In that same stretch, Northwest is 96-10 in home MIAA contests.
    Northwest has lost six games at home this year.

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    0-6 (0-5)

0-3 VS. RANKED FOES THIS SEASON
Northwest is 35-9 vs. ranked opponents since the 2015-16 season. Northwest is 0-3 this season against foes ranked in the NABC Top 25.

Bearcats vs. NABC Ranked Foes (Since 2016)
L, 80-69 vs. No. 1 Washburn (1/22/25)
L, 96-66 at No. 2 Washburn (1/11/25)
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)

PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AT PIZZA RANCH
Northwest head coach Matt Keeley will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 1 p.m. for a press conference at Pizza Ranch in Maryville.