Monday, Nov. 9 | 5:30 p.m. (CT) | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.
Lincoln, Mo. at Northwest Missouri State
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NORTHWEST WOMEN'S HOOPS BEGINS 2026-27 SEASON
The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball team will play its first game of the season Monday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. against the Lincoln Blue Tigers in Bearcat Arena.
    
HOUSTON RETURNS
Third-year Lincoln head coach Addae Houston is a former Bearcat that holds two degrees from Northwest.
    Houston played basketball at Northwest for head coach Steve Tappmeyer.. Houston also served as an assistant coach under Austin Meyer from 2018-2022.

ALL-TIME VS LINCOLN (MO.)
Northwest owns a 45-10 edge in the all-time series with former MIAA league member Lincoln. Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer is 10-2 vs. the Blue Tigers.
    Northwest scored a 61-50 victory over Lincoln last season in Bearcat Arena.

NORTHWEST DOWNS DOANE
Northwest picked up a 62-52 exhibition victory over the Doane Tigers on Oct. 27.
    Boston Wand scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and added eight rebounds and four assists.
    Sadie Maas collected 13 rebounds, including four offensive boards, and posted three blocks with eight points.
    Bailey Birmingham finished with 13 points and four steals.
    Brooklyn Stanley added 11 points with three 3-pointers, four rebounds and four assists.

FIVE CONSECUTIVE .500 OR BETTER YEARS
Northwest has produced five consecutive .500 or better seasons - the longest since a five-year stretch ending in 1990-91.
    Northwest is averaging 17.6  wins per season over the last five years, that includes a trip to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

MEYER IN SEASON OPENERS
Head coach Austin Meyer is 3-5 in season openers since taking over the Bearcat women's basketball program in 2018-19.
    Northwest had won three straight openers before last season's setback against Adams State in St. Joseph, Mo.

Season-Openers Under Meyer
L, 75-58 at Wayne State (11/9/18)
L, 61-57 vs. Wayne State (11/8/19)
L, 64-56 at Northeastern St. (11/19/20)
L, 64-48 vs. SW Minn. St. (11/12/21)
W, 95-86 vs. SW Minn. St. (11/11/22)
W, 94-89 vs. SW Minn. St. (11/10/23)
W, 57-49 vs. #5 Ashland (11/2/24)
L, 56-51 vs. Adams State (10/31/25)

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TALK
Sadie Maas enters the 2026-27 season with a team-leading four double-doubles. Maas added the program's second all-time triple-double with a 17-point, 18-rebound and 11-block performance at Missouri Southern last season.

Career Double-Doubles
Sadie Maas - 4
Kirsten Hauck - 1
Andrea Lopreato - 1
Brooklyn Stanley - 1

Career Triple-Doubles
Sadie Maas - 1

MAAS MIAA DEFENSIVE POY
Sadie Maas was named the MIAA's 2025-26 Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year.
    She is only the second Bearcat to take home the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year award. Kyla Roehrig was named the league's top defensive player in the 2010-11 season.

Northwest's MIAA Defensive Players of the Year
2011 - Kyla Roehrig
2026 - Sadie Maas
SADIE NAMED TO ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM
Sadie Maas was also tabbed as a member of the MIAA's All-Defensive Team in 2025-26. She was also named an honorable mention all-MIAA selection.

Northwest's MIAA All-Defensive Team Picks
2011 - Kyla Roehrig
2023 - Jayna Green
2024 - Jayna Green
2026 - Sadie Maas

MAAS, BIRMINGHAM SECURE HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MIAA HONORS
Sadie Maas and Bailey Birmingham were named honorable mention all-MIAA in 2025-26.

SADIE SWATS SHOTS
Junior Sadie Maas ranks third all-time in blocked shots at Northwest with 121.
    With Maas's next block, she will move into a tie for No. 2 with Sarah Vllertsen (2002-04) with 122 blocks. Jayna Green (2019-24) holds the Northwest career blocked hosts mark with 195.
    Maas's 73 blocked shots last season ranked as the second-best total in a single-season in Bearcat history.

Northwest Blocked Shots (Career)
1. Jayna Green (2019-24)        195
2. Sarah Vollertsen (2002-04)    122
3. Sadie Maas (2024-pr.)        121
4. Shelby Mustain (2014-16)    107
5. Maggie Marnin (2011-15)    100
6. Gentry Dietz (2009-11)        99
    Kyla Roehrig (2010-11)        99
8. Jenna Wolfe (2001-04)        94
9. Tember Schechinger (2013-16)    85
10. Lori Schneider (1986-89)    83

Northwest Blocked Shots (Season)
1. Kyla Roehrig (2011)        99
2. Sadie Maas (2026)        73
3. Gentry Dietz (2010)        57
4. Sarah Vollertsen (2004)        55
    Jayna Green (2024)        55
6. Sadie Maas (2025)        48
7. Maggie Marnin (2012)        46
8. Jayna Green (2023)        45
9. Shelby Mustain (2016)        43
    Jayna Green (2022)        43

SCORERS OF NOTE
Sophomore Bailey Birmingham has produced a team-leading 19 double-figure scoring games for this year's Bearcats.
    Junior Brooklyn Stanley has reached double-figures in scoring six times for the Bearcats.
        
Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Bailey Birmingham - 19
Andrea Lopreato - 15
Sadie Maas - 14
Kirsten Hauck - 11
Brooklyn Stanley - 6
Avery Yosten - 5
Boston Wand - 4
Kenzie Melcher - 3

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Kirsten Hauck - 3
Bailey Birmingham - 2
Andrea Lopreato - 2

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

Career 40-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
Northwest went 13-3 at home this season and reached 10 or more home wins for the third time under head coach Austin Meyer.
    The 13 home wins rank as the third-best home win total in program history.
    Meyer's teams in 2023-24 (10) and 2021-22 (11) also reached double-figure win totals in Bearcat Arena. Meyer's all-time record at home is 56-47.
    Northwest has had 15 seasons of 10 or more home wins in program history.

10 or More Home-Win Seasons
15, 2010-11
14, 2003-04
13, 2025-26
11, 1983-84
11, 1987-88
11, 1989-90
11, 1990-91
11, 1995-96
11, 2006-07
11, 2009-10
11, 2021-22
10, 1975-76
10, 2005-06
10, 2012-13
10, 2023-24

100 WINS FOR MEYER
Head coach Austin Meyer recorded his 100th career coaching victory in Northwest's Nov. 22, 2025, 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 a career mark of 115-115 entering the 2026-27 season.

MEYER IN OVERTIME
Head coach Austin Meyer is 8-3 in overtime games since taking over the program in 2018. Meyer and the Bearcats have won five consecutive overtime decisions.
    Northwest has overtime wins this season over Emporia State (77-70) and Washburn (65-61).
    Meyer is 2-0 all-time in double-overtime results.

Bearcat Overtime Results Since 2018
W, 65-61 vs. Washburn 2OT (1/10/26)
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)

FIVE RANKED WINS FOR COACH MEYER
Bearcat head coach Austin Meyer has recorded five wins over ranked opponents since taking over the Northwest women's basketball program in 2018.
    Northwest is 5-7 in its last 12 games against ranked foes.

vs. Ranked Opponents (Austin Meyer Era)
W, 65-59 at #20 Pittsburg State (2/14/26)
L, 60-46 vs. #6 Fort Hays State (1/17/26)
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)

BELOW 50 BRINGS SUCCESS
Under head coach Austin Meyer, Northwest has produced a mark of 25-3 when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.

60+ = WINNING NUMBER
Northwest was 17-2 last season when scoring 60 or more points.
    The only two times this season Northwest scored more than 60 and lost was at Fort Hays State and at home vs. Central Missouri.

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

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 FOURTH BY COACHES, SIXTH BY MEDIA
Northwest was selected to finish fourth by the coaches and sixth by the media in the preseason polls.

MEDIA POLL
1. Central Missouri [16] – 372 points
2. Fort Hays State [13] – 355 points
3. Missouri Southern – 325 points
4. Washburn [1] – 298 points
5. Pittsburg State – 281 points
6. Northwest Missouri State – 245 points
7. Missouri Western – 204 points
8. Northeastern State – 201 points
9. Emporia State – 171 points
10. Nebraska Kearney – 149 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 122 points
12. Rogers State – 109 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 75 points
14. Newman – 33 points

COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [10] – 163 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] – 147 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 143 points
4. Northwest Missouri State – 120 points
5. Washburn [1] – 113 points
6. Pittsburg State – 108 points
7. Missouri Western [1] – 107 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 93 points
9. Northeastern State – 91 points
10. Emporia State – 56 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 53 points
12. Rogers State – 35 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 28 points
14. Newman – 17 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.