Thursday, Feb. 20 | 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State at Northeastern State | NSU Event Center | Tahlequah, Okla. 
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

Saturday, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State at Arkansas-Fort Smith | Stubblefield Center | Fort Smith, Ark.
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

The Northwest Missouri State women's basketball team (12-13, 5-10 MIAA) is set for its final regular season road swing this week. The Bearcats will first travel to Tahlequah, Okla., to take on Northeastern State on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m. before heading to Fort Smith, Ark., for their inaugural matchup with Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m.

CATCH THE ACTION
Both contests will be available on the MIAA Network, as live stats will be accessible on bearcatsports.com and radio will broadcast on KXCV-KNRW (90.5 FM).

SCOUTING THE RIVERHAWKS
Northeastern State (10-14, 6-9 MIAA) goes into Thursday's contest with a four-game losing streak. The RiverHawks are powered by three players averaging double figures this season: Senior Alex Hill (14.0 PPG), senior Courtney Lee (11.2 PPG) and freshman Deyanna Douglas (10.6 PPG). NSU gets to the free-throw line often, averaging 24.75 attempts per contest, topping the MIAA in the category, as well as free-throws made, 16.67. 

ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE RIVERHAWKS
NSU leads the all-time series 10-7. The Bearcats have taken down the RiverHawks seven out of their last eight meetings (three out of four at the NSU event center). 

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Arkansas-Fort Smith (15-9, 9-6 MIAA) hasn't taken a step back since joining the MIAA this season, sitting fifth in the standings. The Lions took down Washburn last Thursday (W, 83-81), as well as Central Missouri on Saturday (W, 66-60), each at their home court. UAFS is led by a pair of double-digit scorers in freshman guard Anna Trusty (14.1 PPG) and senior guard Morgan Browning (13.7 PPG). The Lions sit second in the league in offensive rebounds per game (12.4) and accumulate the third-best points off the bench (25.0 PPG). UAFS ranks third in the MIAA in  scoring offense, averaging 74.5 PPG. 

INAUGURAL MEETING WITH THE LIONS
The first-ever meeting between the two schools will take place on Saturday. 

CK REACHES TOP 10
Graduate guard Caely Kesten etched her name into Northwest's record books last Saturday, draining a three-pointer in the Bearcats' home matchup against No. 5 Pittsburg State. With 61 made three-pointers this season, Kesten is now tied for 10th all-time in single-season threes with Mallory McAndrews (2018).

CLIMBING UP IN KPI
The MIAA released its second conference KPI rankings, which will determine seeding for the 2024 MIAA Tournament. Northwest moved up to No. 8 with a -.019 KPI, positioning itself for a spot in the postseason. The MIAA Tournament is set for March 5-9 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

MIAA ANNOUNCES SECOND KPI SEEDING
The MIAA released its second edition for the conference tournament, using KPI for seeding purposes. Northwest rises up to No. 8 with a -.019 conference KPI.OUT-REBOUNDING THE OPPOSITION
Northwest boasts a 10-2 record this season when out-rebounding opposing teams. 

TAKING CARE OF THE ROCK
The Bearcats average 12.0 turnovers per contest - the fourth-least in the nation and best in the MIAA. 

KESTEN HAS THE GREEN LIGHT
Caely Kesten ranks as the seventh-best three-point shooter in the nation at a 45.2% shooting percentage - leading the MIAA. Kesten has tallied the league's third-most three-pointers with 61 this season, No. 26 in Div. II. 

HARTNETT SCRATCHES NEW CAREER-HIGH IN KEARNEY
Graduate guard Molly Hartnett posted a career-high 28 points in a 71-64 loss to Nebraska-Kearney last Thursday. Hartnett shot 8-of-14 from the field and an impressive 10-of-11 from the free-throw line during her 35 minutes on the court. She has now recorded double-digit scoring performances in four consecutive games.

Hartnett matched her career-high 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the floor and perfect from the charity stripe (4-of-4), in a win against Central Missouri on Jan. 25. Hartnett has matched this career-high performance in the Bearcats' last two contests. 

MAAS COLLECTS DOUBLE-DOUBLE VS. GRACELAND
True freshman forward Sadie Maas played a pivotal role in Northwest's win over Graceland, posting a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in a 85-54 victory.

Maas is the first freshman to record a double-double since her current teammate, Kelsey Fields, accomplished it in 2022 with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Lincoln.

'CATS SHOOT LIGHTS OUT VS. UCM
Northwest shot a blistering 54.7% from the floor - new season-high - Jan. 25 matchup against Central Missouri. Along with the field goal percentage, the Bearcats converted on 42.9% from deep and only missed one free throw (11-of-12). 

INAUGURAL WIN AGAINST TOP-RANKED OPPONENT IN PROGRAM HISTORY 
Northwest made history on Saturday by defeating the reigning Division II national champions and top-ranked Minnesota State, 85-67, in its final game of the Central Region WBB Showcase. This victory marked Northwest's first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team in program history.

Northwest handed Minnesota State its first loss since Feb. 17, 2024, and its largest margin of defeat since Jan. 11, 2020, against Southwest Minnesota State. Northwest led for nearly 30 minutes of game time, keeping Minnesota State's only lead in the first half. 

TWO TOP FIVE VICTORIES
W, 57-49 vs. No. 5 Ashland (11/2/24)
W, 85-67 vs. No. 1 Minnesota State (11/9/24)

FIRST TOP FIVE VICTORY SINCE 2009
Northwest defeated the No. 5-ranked Ashland Eagles it its first game of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, 57-49, marking its first top five victory since a 88-76 win against No. 5 Emporia State in the 2009-10 season. 

HARTNETT, KESTEN RETURN FOR FINAL SEASON
Graduate student's Molly Hartnett and Caely Kesten return for their final seasons with the Bearcat women's basketball program. Hartnett led the Bearcats in scoring last season with 389 points, as Kesten was the second-leading scorer with 382. 

HARTNETT BECOMES SECOND-MOST POINT SCORER IN BEARCAT HISTORY
Molly Hartnett has passed Danae Wagner (1989-92) to become the second-most point scorer in Bearcat history, totaling 1,725 points in her career. 

Northwest Career Points
1. Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 2,121
2. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. - 1,725
3. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 1,538
4. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 1,511
5. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 1,489
6. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 1,471
7. Laura Friederich, 2003-06 - 1,449
8. Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 1,446
9. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 1,445
10. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 1,411

MORE HARTNETT IN THE RECORD BOOKS

Northwest's Career FT%
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
    Caely Kesten, 2020-pres. - 82.1
6. Kim Scamman, 1980-84 - 80.9
7. Meridee Scott, 2010-14 - 80.7
8. Abby Henry, 2009-12 - 78.9
9. Jessica Burton, 2005-09 - 77.3
10. Lauren Williams, 2005-08 - 77.2
11. Marla Sapp, 1981-85 - 76.6

Northwest's Assists in a Career
1. Pam Cummings, 1995-98 - 822
2. Sandy (Cummings) Nelson, 1987-90 - 598
3. Kim Scamman, 1983-86 - 554
4. Julie Schmitz, 1976-79 - 454
5. Molly Hartnett, 2020-pres. 411
6. Monica Booth, 1980-83 - 378
7 Janet Clark, 1986-89 - 320
8. Marla Sapp, 1982-85 - 302
9. Shelly Jermain, 1991-94 - 298
10. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 287

FIELDS MOVES TO NO. 2 IN CAREER REBOUNDS
Kelsey Fields has risen to No. 2 in Northwest's career rebounds list, pulling down 838. 

1. Julie Chadwick, 1978-81 - 1,006 
2. Kelsey Fields, 2021-pres. 838
3. Mandi Schumacher, 2005-08 - 763
4. Patty Painter, 1978-81 - 733
5. Kelly Leintz, 1985-88 - 710
6. Danae Wagner, 1989-92 - 706
7. Jodi Giles, 1979-82 - 702
8. Denise Sump, 1997-2000 - 694
    Tanya Meyer, 2014-18 - 694
9. Diane Kloewer, 1981-84 - 686

THREE-POINT DUO
Caely Kesten and Peyton Kelderman have both entered Northwest's top 10 career three-pointers list. 

Northwest's Three-Pointers in a Career
1. Jaelyn Haggard (2017-21)     256
2. Kelli Nelson (2005-08)    202
3. Caely Kesten (2020-pres.)    178
4. Shelly Martin (2008-10)    170
5. Laura Friederich (2003-06)    163
6. Peyton Kelderman (2021-pres.)    152
7. Brooke Hogue (2002-04)    143
8. Mallory McAndrews (2015-19)    139
9. Tanya Meyer (2014-18)    132
10. Katie O'Grady, (2004-07)    125

1K FOR CK
Graduate guard Caely Kesten reached the 1,000-point milestone in Northwest's 76-73 road victory over Rogers State, becoming just the 30th Bearcat to do so. Kesten leads the team with 329 points this season (14.3 PPG), bringing her career total to 1,051.

ADDITION OF COACH TUCKER
Head coach Austin Meyer announced the addition of assistant coach Daryle Tucker to the Bearcat staff in June. Tucker previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Before that, he served as the head men's basketball coach at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, for three seasons, and later at Northland College.
Tucker replaces former Bearcat assistant coach Chris Guess, who accepted a position as an assistant coach at the University of South Dakota.

50 BELOW = W
Under Meyer, Northwest boasts an impressive 20-2 record when limiting opponents to under 50 points. Last season, the Bearcats successfully held six opponents below that threshold, along with No. 5 Ashland and MSU Moorhead this season. The Bearcats suffered just their only second loss when holding opponents under the 50-point threshold vs. UNK on Jan. 4 (L, 48-46). 

W, 71-47 vs. William Woods (11/25/23)
W, 55-48 (OT) vs. Emporia State (12/16/23)
W, 63-42 at Rogers State (1/6/24)
W, 79-49 vs. Newman (1/20/24)
W, 62-50 at Washburn (2/10/24)
W, 59-41 vs. Rogers State (2/15/24)
W, 57-49 vs. No 5 Ashland (11/2/24)
W, 54-47 vs. MSU Moorhead (11/8/24)

SECOND-MOST MIAA WINS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Northwest's 16 conference wins last season rank as the second-most in program history, only bested by the 2010-11 team that went 18-4 and won the regular season MIAA crown and finishing with a Final-four berth. 

FIVE OUT OF SEVEN SEASONS FOR MEYER
Head Coach Austin Meyer took the reigns of the Bearcat program during the 2018-19 season and has been to the MIAA Championships five-out-of-seven times in his tenure. Meyer has accumulated a record of a 3-4 all-time record.
MEYER TAKES BEARCATS TO NCAA TOURNEY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011
During the remarkable 2023-24 season, head coach Austin Meyer brought the Bearcats to their first NCAA Div. II Tournament appearance since 2011. 

Northwest's NCAA Tournament Games
2024 - Fort Hays State 62, Northwest 47

2011 - Northwest 92, Texas Women's 73
           Northwest 77, Tarleton State 61
           Northwest 82, Central Oklahoma 70
           Northwest 78, Cal Poly Pomona 65
           Michigan Tech 89, Northwest 78

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

2004 - Washburn 65, Northwest 64

2007 - West Texas A&M 87, Northwest 72
2004 - Washburn 65, Northwest 64
1990 - West Texas A&M 62, Northwest 48

1984 - Northwest 81, Lewis 63
           Dayton 97, Northwest 69

TOP FIVE SCORERS (2024-25)
Caely Kesten - 14.7 PPG
Molly Hartnett - 11.6 PPG
Kelsey Fields - 9.6 PPG
Emree Zars - 6.8 PPG
Lindsey Kelderman - 6.4 PPG

CAREER DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 79
Caely Kesten - 47
Emree Zars - 38
Peyton Kelderman - 28
Kelsey Fields - 29
Lindsey Kelderman - 23
Evelyn Vazquez - 7
Laini Joseph - 6
Ella Moody - 3
Sadie Maas - 1
Aaliyah Riley - 1

CAREER 20-POINT SCORING GAMES
Molly Hartnett - 22
Emree Zars - 8
Caely Kesten - 10
Kelsey Fields - 2
Lindsey Kelderman - 1
Peyton Kelderman - 1

ACTIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES LIST
Senior Kelsey Fields has tallied 14 double-doubles in her career, as Molly Hartnett has four as a Bearcat. 

Kelsey Fields - 14
Emree Zars - 6
Molly Hartnett - 4
Sadie Maas - 1

HARTNETT BECOMES THIRD BEARCAT IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH 1,400pts/300ast
Adding on to Hartnett's career at Northwest,  she became just the third player in Bearcat history to reach the 1,400 points/300ast mark during last years' campaign. She joins Janet Clark (2,121 & 320) and Marla Sapp (1,445 & 302).

Northwest WBB Div. II Top 25 History
- Jan. 25, 1998 - RV (9)
- Feb. 1, 1998 - RV (5)
- Dec. 9, 2003 - RV (8)
- Dec. 16, 2003 - RV (4)
- Jan. 6, 2004 - RV (6)
- Jan. 13, 2004 - RV (17)
- Jan. 20, 2004 - RV (34)
- *Jan. 28, 2004 - 22
- *Feb. 3, 2004 - 17
- *Feb. 10, 2004 - 19
- *Feb. 17, 2004 - 17
- *Feb. 24, 2004 - 21
- *March 30, 2004 - 20
- *March 15, 2004 - 18
*March 30, 2004 - 20
- Nov. 10, 2004 - RV (70)
- Dec. 7, 2004 - RV (4)
- Feb. 8, 2005 - RV (5)
- April 1, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 5, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 25, 2008 - RV (1)
- Nov. 30, 2010 - RV (3)
- Dec. 7, 2010 - RV (2)
- Dec. 14, 2010 - RV (4)
- Jan. 4, 2011 - RV (1)
- Jan. 11, 2011 - RV (7)
- Jan. 18, 2011 - RV (19)
- *Jan. 25, 2011 - T23
- *Feb. 1, 2011 - 24
- *Feb. 8, 2011 - 22
- *Feb. 15, 2011 - 20
- *Feb. 22, 2011 - 18
-* March 1, 2011 - 22
- *March 8, 2011 - 19
- *March 29, 2011 - 4
- *Nov. 1, 2011 - 15
- Nov. 22, 2011 - RV (22)
- Dec. 13, 2011 - RV (12)
- Dec. 5, 2023 - RV (13)
- Dec. 12, 2023 - RV (12)
- Jan. 2, 2024 - RV (13)
- Jan. 9, 2024 - RV (15)
- Feb. 20, 2024 - RV (6)
- Nov. 19, 2024 - 18
- Nov. 26, 2024 - 15
- Dec. 3, 2024 - 9
- Dec. 10, 2024 - RV
- Dec. 17, 2024 - RV

BEARCATS WELCOME EIGHT NEWCOMERS TO 2024-25 SQUAD
Northwest added seven freshmen and one transfer to the 2024-25 roster.

Freshmen
- Guard | #1 Brooklyn Stanley | Sioux City, Iowa
- Guard | # 12 Aliyah Al-Hameed | Waukee, Iowa
- Guard | #22 Aaliyah Riley | Des Moines, Iowa
- Guard | #23 Kenzie Melcher | Omaha, Neb. 
- Forward | #32 Sadie Maas | Waukee, Iowa
- Forward | #33 Avery Yosten | Norfolk, Neb, 
- Forward | #34 Maggie Collins | Conception, Mo. 

Transfer
- Forward | #14 Emree Zars | Shawnee, Kan.

20-WIN SEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2010-11
Last year, the Bearcats achieved the 20-win milestone for the ninth time in program history, marking their first such season since 2010-11.

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

2024-25 WBCA NCAA Top 25 Coaches' Poll
1. Grand Valley State
2. Texas Woman's 
3. Cal State Dominguez Hills
4. Bentley
5. Pittsburg State
6. Texas-Tyler
7. Fort Hays State
8. Ashland
9. Coker
10. North Georgia
11. Embry-Riddle
12. Concordia-St. Paul
13. Lubbock Christian
14. Seton Hill
15. Union, TN
16. Montana State Billings
17. Southwest Minnesota State
18. Azusa Pacific
19. Tampa
20. Alaska Anchorage
21. Cal Poly Pomona
22. Lewis
T23. Gannon
        Nova Southeastern
25. Minnesota State Mankato

2024-25 MIAA WBB STANDINGS
1. Pittsburg State (23-2, 15-0 MIAA)
2. Fort Hays State (22-2, 13-2 MIAA)
3. Nebraska-Kearney (19-5, 12-3 MIAA)
4. Missouri Western (16-7, 11-4 MIAA)
5. Arkansas-Fort Smith (15-9, 9-6 MIAA)
6. Missouri Southern (16-11, 8-7 MIAA)
7. Washburn (14-11, 8-7 MIAA)
8. Central Missouri (14-12, 6-9 MIAA)
9. Northeastern State (10-14, 6-9 MIAA)
10. Central Oklahoma (7-17, 6-9 MIAA)
11. Northwest Missouri State (12-13, 5-10 MIAA)
12. Emporia State (9-16, 4-12 MIAA)
13. Newman (7-18, 2-14 MIAA)
14. Rogers State (7-17, 1-14 MIAA)

D2CSC CENTRAL REGION POLL
1. Pittsburg State
2. Concordia-St. Paul
3. Fort Hays State
4. Southwest Minnesota State
5. Minnesota State
6. Nebraska-Kearney
7. Southern Nazarene
8. Harding
9. Missouri Western
10. Southeastern Oklahoma State 

TABBED THIRD IN MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
Following a 23-win season--fourth-most in program history-- and its first NCAA Division II tournament appearance since 2011, the Bearcats were picked to finish third in the MIAA for the 2024-25 season, in both the coaches' and media polls. 

The Bearcats earned two first-place votes from MIAA coaches and one vote from the media. 

2024-25 MIAA Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Pittsburg State (10) - 164 points
2. Fort Hays State (2) - 152 points
3. Northwest Missouri State (2) - 142 points
4. Missouri Southern - 137 points
5. Central Missouri - 124 points
6. Nebraska Kearney - 97 points
7. Missouri Western - 89 points
8. Emporia State - 86 points
9. Northeastern State - 80 points
10. Washburn - 68 points
11. Central Oklahoma - 50 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith - 39 points
13. Rogers State - 29 points
14. Newman - 17 points
(#) - Number of First-Place Votes

Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2024-25 MIAA Women's Preseason Media Poll
1. Fort Hays State (9) - 246 points
2. Pittsburg State (5) - 231 points
3. Northwest Missouri State (1) - 225 points
4. Missouri Southern (1) - 206 points
5. Missouri Western (2) - 192 points
6. Central Missouri (1) - 174 points
7. Emporia State - 139 points
8. Nebraska Kearney - 129 points
9. Washburn - 107 points
10. Northeastern State - 101 points
11. Central Oklahoma - 84 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith - 74 points
13. Rogers State - 66 points
14. Newman - 21 points
(#) - Number of First-Place Votes

TUESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE AT PIZZA RANCH
Northwest Head Coach Austin Meyer will be available each Tuesday from Noon - 2 p.m. for a press conference at your local Maryville Pizza Ranch.