Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 5:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Central Missouri at Northwest Missouri State
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Saturday, Jan. 10 | 1:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Washburn at Northwest Missouri State
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THIS WEEK'S ACTION
The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball squad (9-5 overall, 2-2 MIAA) returns home to take on Central Missouri (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.) and Washburn (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.) in Bearcat Arena.
    The Jennies are 9-4 overall and 3-1 in MIAA play. The Jennies have won three straight heading into Wednesday's encounter with the Bearcats in Maryville, Mo.
    The Ichabods are 10-3 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Ichabods are riding a four-game winning streak headed into games at Missouri Western (Wednesday) and Northwest (Saturday).

ALL-TIME VS CENTRAL MO.
Central Missouri holds a 76-29 lead in the all-time series. Northwest has won three straight games against UCM, after the Jennies had won 14 consecutive contests vs. the Bearcats.
    Head coach Austin Meyer is 3-9 vs. UCM.

ALL-TIME VS WASHBURN
Washburn owns a 63-15 lead in the all-time series. Four of the last eight contests between Northwest and Washburn have gone to overtime.
    Head coach Austin Meyer is 5-9 vs. Washburn.

NINE IN A ROW AT HOME
Dating back to last season, Northwest has won nine consecutive home games in Bearcat Arena.
    Northwest's longest home-court winning streak is 16 in a row set from Feb. 27, 2010 to Feb. 23, 2011.
    Northwest's nine-game home win streak ranks second in the MIAA behind Fort Hays State's 11-game home win streak.
    It is tied for the ninth-longest active NCAA Div. II home-court winning streak.
    
NCAA Active Home-Court Win Streaks
1. Minnesota State - 30
2. Grand Valley State - 23
3. Lubbock Christian - 22
4. Nova Southeastern - 16
5. Point Loma - 15
6. Fort Hays State - 11
    Carson-Newman - 11
    Caldwell - 11
9. Northwest Mo. St. - 9
    Lincoln Memorial - 9
    Cal Poly Pomona - 9
    Western Colorado - 9
    Alabama-Huntsville - 9

MIAA Active Home-Court Win Streaks
Fort Hays State - 11
Northwest Mo. St. - 9
Emporia State - 6
Nebraska-Kearney - 6
Pittsburg State - 4
Central Missouri - 4

Northwest's Home-Court Win Streak
Northwest 82, Newman 76 (2/27/25)
Northwest 70, Emporia St. 51 (3/1/25)
Northwest 66, Rockhurst 53 (11/19/25)
Northwest 61, Lincoln 50 (11/22/25)
Northwest 70, William Jewell 44 (11/25/25)
Northwest 69, Graceland 52 (11/30/25)
Northwest 77, Emporia St. 70 OT (12/4/25)
Northwest 73, Baker 36 (12/15/25)
Northwest 90, Buena Vista (12/17/25)

TRIPLES ARE DROPPING
Northwest has made six or more three-pointers in 12 straight games.

MIAA'S NO. 4-RANKED FIELD GOAL DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in defensive field goal percentage (36.2%).
    
LIMITING THE OPPOSITION
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA and No. 43 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 57.5 points per game.
    Washburn leads the MIAA in scoring defense at 55.6 points per game.
    Northwest has limited eight of its opponents to less than 60 points scored.

60+ = WINNING NUMBER
Northwest is 9-1 this season when scoring 60 or more points.
    The only time this season Northwest has scored more than 60 and lost was Thursday at No. 6-ranked Fort Hays State. The Tigers tallied an 84-71 win over the Bearcats.

REBOUNDING MARGIN
Northwest ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in rebound margin (+6.0). Northwest put up a +30 rebound margin (62-32) in its 73-36 win over Baker.
    Northwest's 62 rebounds ranks as the fourth-highest single-game MIAA total this year.

LOPREATO TOPS SQUAD IN SCORING
Junior Andrea Lopreato leads the Bearcats in scoring and ranks No. 6 in the MIAA at 14.6 points per game.
    Lopreato dropped a Bearcat single-game scoring record of 40 points in a 75-64 win over Sioux Falls (Nov. 14) at Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.
    Lopreato tops the squad in steals (24) and free throws made (58). Lopreato was credited with a career-high six steals in Northwest's 90-63 win over Buena Vista.

FROM DOWNTOWN
Freshman Bailey Birmingham leads the MIAA in three-point field goal percentage (.388) and she ranks No. 2 in the league in three-point field goals made (34).
    Birmingham has made at least one three-pointers in 12 of the 13 games she has played. She has made two more three-pointers in 10 contests.
    She ranks No. 2 in the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game.

MIAA 3-Point FGs Made Leaders
1. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    36
2. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    34
3. Grace Gilpin (Emporia St.)        32
4. Myleigh Weers (UNK)        28
5. Payton Sterk (Washburn)        27

MIAA 3-Point FG Percentage Leaders
1. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    .388
2. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    .383
3. Payton Sterk (Washburn)        .360
4. Ellie Stearns (Fort Hays State)    .354
5. Annaston Brown (Northeastern St.)    .330

MAAS SWATS SHOTS, GRABS BOARDS
Sophomore Sadie Maas is Northwest's top shot blocker (26) and rebounder (7.9 rpg).
    Maas ranks No. 16 in the nation and No. 2 in the MIAA in blocked shots (26). She ranks fourth in the MIAA in total rebounds (101).
    Maas put up a career-high 13-rebound effort against Wayne State. Maas possesses seven career 10-plus rebound performances as a Bearcat, including five this season. Maas has garnered three consecutive double-figure rebound games with 12 vs. Missouri Western, 10 vs. Emporia State and 10 vs. Baker.
    Maas has collected 74 career blocked shots to rank No. 10 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots list. Maas has blocked at least one shot in 35 games as a collegiate player.

MIAA Blocked Shot Leaders
1. Jerney Bennett (Central Oklahoma)    53
2. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.)        26
3. Taylor Weishaar (Central Missouri)        18
    Macey Gandee (Emporia State)        18
    Jaiana Wiggins (Rogers State)        18

Northwest Blocked Shots (Career)
1. Jayna Green (2019-24)        195
2. Sarah Vollertsen (2002-04)    122
3. Shelby ustain (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. Sadie Maas (2024-pr.)        74

WAND SCORES CAREER-HIGH & WORKS THE GLASS TOO
Freshman Boston Wand recorded a career-high 16 points vs. Baker.
    Wand ranks No. 12 in the MIAA in rebounds (79). Wand has produced a pair of 10-rebound games (Lincoln, William Jewell).
    Wand is averaging 7.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

MIAA Rebound Leaders
1. Kaycee McCumber (Pittsburg St.)        122
2. Talexa Weeter (Fort Hays St.)        119
3. Nakiya Harris (Missouri Western)        114
4. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.)        110
5. Harper Schreiner (Pittsburg State)        109
    Jerney Bennett (Central Oklahoma)    109
7. Taylor Weishaar (Central Missouri)        104
8. Jillian Aschoff (Nebraska-Kearney)    100
9. Reese Schaaf (Central Missouri)        97
10. Ashlyn Alloway (Missouri Southern)    95
11. Boston Wand (Northwest Mo. St.)    84

HAUCK FINDS THE SHOOTING TOUCH
Sophomore Kirsten Hauck has buried 19 of her last 40 shots from three-point land over the last eight games.
    She began the season shooting 3-for-18 from beyond the three-point arce in her first six games.
    In MIAA play, Hauck is making 47.6% of her three-pointers (10-of-21) which ranks second-best in the league in conference games only.
    On the season, Hauck has knocked in 22 three-pointers and his averaging 8.1 points per contest.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES COMING IN BUNCHES
Northwest produced three double-doubles in its first two MIAA games vs. Missouri Western and Emporia State.
    Sadie Maas produced back-to-back double-doubles with 12 points and 12 rebounds at Missouri Western and 14 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime win over Emporia State.
    Andrea Lopreato collected her first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds vs. Emporia State.

Career Double-Doubles
Emree Zars - 6
Sadie Maas - 3
Kirsten Hauck - 1
Andrea Lopreato - 1

SCORERS OF NOTE
    Freshman guard Bailey Birmingham registered her eighth double-figure scoring game of the year with 11 points at Nebraska-Kearney.
    Sophomore Kirsten Hauck registered her sixth career double-figure scoring game with a 10-point effort at Nebraska-Kearney.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Emree Zars - 38
Andrea Lopreato - 10
Bailey Birmingham - 8
Sadie Maas - 7
Kirsten Hauck - 6
Avery Yosten - 4
Ella Moody - 3
Kenzie Melcher - 3
Boston Wand - 3

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Emree Zars - 8
Andrea Lopreato - 2
Kirsten Hauck - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

Career 40-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

MEYER IN OVERTIME
Head coach Austin Meyer is 7-3 in overtime games since taking over the program in 2018. Meyer and the Bearcats have won four consecutive overtime decisions.
    Northwest moved to 2-0 in MIAA play with a 77-70 overtime win over Emporia State on Dec. 4.

Bearcat Overtime Results Since 2018
W, 77-70 vs. Emporia State (12/4/25)
W, 82-76 vs. Newman (2/27/25)
W, 66-61 at Washburn (1/11/25)
W, 55-48 vs. Emporia State (12/16/23)
L, 62-59 at Washburn (2/14/23)
W, 76-75 vs. Washburn (2/4/23)
W, 58-53 vs. Washburn (2/19/22)
L, 77-76 vs. Pittsburg State (2/22/20)
W, 70-67 at Newman 2OT (1/30/20)
L, 77-69 vs. McKendree (11/30/19)

100 WINS FOR MEYER
Head coach Austin Meyer recorded his 100th career coaching victory in Northwest's Nov. 22 win over Lincoln.
    Meyer is the third Bearcat women's coach to reach 100 or more victories joining Wayne Winstead (311) and Gene Steinmeyer (189). Meyer has posted 106 career wins entering Wednesday's game against Central Missouri.

FOUR RANKED WINS FOR COACH MEYER
Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer has recorded four wins over ranked opponents since taking over the Northwest women's basketball program in 2018.
    Northwest is 4-6 in its last 10 games against ranked foes.

vs. Ranked Opponents (Austin Meyer Era)
L, 84-71 at #6 Fort Hays State (1/1/26)
L, 61-59 vs. #5 Pittsburg State (2/15/25)
L, 84-60 at #7 Fort Hays State (1/18/25)
L, 70-60 vs. #3 Fort Hays State (1/2/25)
W, 85-67 vs. #1 Minnesota State (11/9/25)
L, 58-41 vs. #2 Texas Woman's (11/3/24)
W, 57-49 vs. #5 Ashland (11/2/24)
L, 67-44 vs. #21 Missouri Western (2/24/24)
W, 69-55 vs. #15 Fort Hays State (2/3/24)
W, 76-68 at #16 Central Missouri (1/25/24)
L, 62-48 at #18 Fort Hays State (12/7/23)
L, 65-43 vs. #7 Nebraska-Kearney (3/2/23)
L, 66-65 at #13 Nebraska-Kearney (1/26/23)
L, 68-67 vs. #5 Central Missouri (1/19/23)
L, 77-51 vs. #22 Nebraska-Kearney (12/10/22)
L, 52-37 at #5 Missouri Southern (12/1/22)
L, 69-47 vs. #6 Fort Hays State (2/26/22)
L, 68-52 at #22 Missouri Western (2/5/22)
L, 67-60 vs. #16 Nebraska-Kearney (1/15/22)
L, 63-60 at #2 Fort Hays State (1/12/22)
L, 70-47 vs. #5 Fort Hays State (1/27/21)
L, 55-51 at #17 Central Missouri (1/30/21)
L, 59-35 at #5 Nebraska-Kearney (1/16/21)
L, 58-49 vs. #21 Central Missouri (12/3/20)
L, 73-60 vs. #18 Central Missouri (2/6/20)
L, 56-45 vs. #10 Alaska-Ancorage (12/19/19)
L, 91-63 at #8 Fort Hays State (1/26/19)

DRE-LO DROPS 40, SCHOOL RECORD VS. SIOUX FALLS
Junior transfer Andrea Lopreato set the Bearcat single-game scoring record with 40 points against Sioux Falls at Civic Arena on Nov. 14.
    Lopreato became the first Bearcat women's basketball player to score 40 points in a game. It tied for the 14th-best single-game scoring mark in league history.
    Lopreato is one of six NCAA Div. II players to put up a 40-point scoring game this season.
    She also set the single-game school records for free throws made (19) and attempted (21) in the game. Lopreato set the MIAA single-game record with 19 made free throws vs. Sioux Falls.

Bearcat Single-Game Scoring Record
40, Andrea Lopreato vs. USF (11/14/25)
39, Kelly Leintz vs. Truman (2/17/88)
38, Annie Coy vs. Lincoln (1/31/98)
37, Jodi Giles vs. Nebraska (2/17/82)
37, Gentry Dietz vs. FHSU (1/30/10)
37, Kendey Eaton vs. UCM (2/13/19)
36, Janet Clark vs. UMSL (1/21/89)
35, Janet Clark vs. UCM (2/8/89)
35, Denise Sump vs. Alderson-Broaddus (12/5/98)
35, Jenna Wolfe vs. Cal St LA (12/20/02)
35, Gabby Curtis vs. Omaha (2/3/11)

Bearcat Single-Game Free Throws Made
19, Andrea Lopreato vs. USF (11/14/25)
17, Jodi Giles vs. Nebraska (1981)
17, Abby Henry vs. SBU (1/14/12)

Bearcat Single-Game Free Throws Att.
21, Andrea Lopreato vs. USF (11/14/25)
20, Abby Henry vs. SBU (1/14/12)
19, Amanda Winter vs. Truman (1/17/01)

NINE 20-WIN SEASONS IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Northwest has generated nine 20-win seasons in school history.

29-5 - 2010-11
25-2 - 1983-84
24-7 - 2003-04
23-8 - 2023-24
21-7 - 1974-75
20-8 - 1975-76
20-8 - 1977-78
20-11 - 1979-80
20-10 - 1989-90

FOUR CONSECUTIVE .500 OR BETTER YEARS
Northwest has produced four consecutive .500 or better seasons - the longest since a five-year stretch ending in 1990-91.

NORTHWEST IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Northwest is 6-7 in seven all-time in the NCAA Tournament six appearances.
    Northwest earned NCAA Tournament bids in 1984, 1990, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2024.

BEARCATS TABBED SIXTH BY MEDIA, EIGHTH BY COACHES
Northwest was selected to finish sixth by the media and eighth by the league coaches in the polls.

MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 326 points
2. Fort Hays State [5] – 299 points
3. Washburn [3] – 276 points
4. Central Missouri [4] – 271 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 268 points
6. Missouri Western – 227 points
7. Northwest Missouri State – 187 points
8. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185 points
9. Missouri Southern – 176 points
10. Emporia State – 127 points
11. Northeastern State – 111 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 92 points
13. Rogers State – 49 points
14. Newman – 31 points

COACHES POLL
1. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points
2. Washburn [6] – 148 points
3. Pittsburg State [5] – 144 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 138 points
5. Nebraska Kearney – 135 points
6. Missouri Western – 99 points
7. Missouri Southern – 95 points
8. Northwest Missouri State – 78 points
9. Northeastern State – 76 points
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73 points
11. Emporia State – 48 points
12. Central Oklahoma – 44 points
13. Rogers State – 28 points
14. Newman – 16 points

BEARCATS IN THE WBCA TOP 25 POLL
Northwest has been in WBCA top 25 poll 20 times in program history. Northwest has risen as high as No. 4 in the poll, which game on March 29, 2011.
    Northwest was last ranked in the WBCA Top 25 at No. 9 in the Dec. 3, 2024 poll.

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

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