Thursday, Feb. 12 | 5:30 p.m. (CT) | Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium | Joplin, Mo.
Northwest Missouri State at Missouri Southern
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Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:30 p.m. (CT) | Lance Arena/Whetzel Court | Pittsburg, Kan.
Northwest Missouri State at No. 20 Pittsburg State
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THIS WEEK'S ACTION
The Northwest Missouri State University women's basketball squad (13-10 overall, 6-7 MIAA) will take its three-game winning streak on the road this week for tests against Missouri Southern (Thursday, 5:30 p.m.) and No. 20-ranked Pittsburg State (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.).
    The Bearcats sit in seventh place in the MIAA standings. The top 10 teams will qualify for the 2026 MIAA Tournament set for March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
    Missouri Southern is 17-5 overall and 11-2 in conference action. The Lions enter this week 1/2 game out of first place in the MIAA standings. The Lions are 7-0 at home this season.
    Pittsburg State is 17-5 overall and 10-3 in MIAA play. The Gorillas are 7-2 at home this season. The Gorillas are in fourth place in the league standings - 1 1/2 games out of first place.

THREE STRAIGHT WINS
Northwest moved its win streak to three with wins this past week over Central Oklahoma (W, 57-40) and Rogers State (W, 65-55).
    Northwest completed a perfect 3-0 home stand that began with a 75-66 victory over Missouri Western on Jan. 31.
    The Bearcats have not lost since Jan. 23 at Central Missouri.

ALL-TIME VS. MO. SOUTHERN
Missouri Southern holds a 38-31 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. Northwest has won three of the last four meetings.
    Missouri Southern scored a 59-50 victory over Northwest at the 2025 MIAA Tournament.

ALL-TIME VS. PITTSBURG STATE
Pittsburg State owns a 44-22 advantage in the all-time series.
    The Gorillas have won 20 of the last 22 matchups with the Bearcats.
    Northwest has lost 11 consecutive games at Pittsburg State. The last Northwest win in Pittsburg, Kan., came Dec. 8, 2010 (W, 61-50).
LIMITING THE OPPOSITION
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA and No. 44 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 58.5 points per game.
    Northwest has limited 10 of its opponents to less than 60 points scored. Northwest is 8-3 when holding the opponent to 60 points or less.

60+ = WINNING NUMBER
Northwest is 12-2 this season when scoring 60 or more points.
    The only two times this season Northwest has scored more than 60 and lost was at Fort Hays State and at home vs. Central Missouri.

BIRMINGHAM PAINTS
CAREER-HIGH 22 VS RSU
Freshman guard Bailey Birmingham recorded a career-high 22 points in Northwest's 65-55 win at home over Rogers State.
    Birmingham knocked in a trio of three-pointers and was 7-of-8 at the free throw line vs. the Hillcats.
    Birmingham is tied for the team lead in scoring (11.6 ppg).

BAILEY BRINGS IT FROM DEEP
Freshman Bailey Birmingham is tied for third in the league with 50 made three-pointers and ranks fourth in the MIAA in three-point field goal percentage (.357).
    She ranks tied for No. 45 in the nation in three-pointers made and No. 51 in the country in three-point field goal percentage.
    Birmingham has made at least one three-pointers in 20 of the 22 games she has played. She has made two more three-pointers in 15 contests.

MIAA 3-Point FGs Made Leaders
1. Grace Gilpin (Emporia St.)        52
2. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    51
3. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    50
    Alexis Martin (Newman)        50
5. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    45

MIAA 3-Point FG Percentage Leaders
1. Talexa Weeter (Fort Hays State)    .392
2. Alexis Martin (Newman)        .365
2. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    .357
4. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    .356
5. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    .344

HAUCK FINDS THE SHOOTING TOUCH
Sophomore Kirsten Hauck has found her shooting touch in MIAA play.
    Hauck is making 40.0% of her three-pointers (26-of-65) in MIAA games to lead the league.
    Hauck's 26 made three-pointers in MIAA games ranks tied for sixth in the league.
    On the season, Hauck has knocked in 38 three-pointers and his averaging 8.7 points per contest.

MIAA GAMES ONLY 3-Pt FGs Made Leaders
1. Alexis Martin (Newmsn)        33
2. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    28
    Nariah Clay (Missouri Southern)    28
    Gracie Gilpen (Emporia State)    28
5. Talexa Weeter (Fort Hays State)    27
6. Kirsten Hauck (Northwest Mo. St.)    26
    Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    26

MAAS SWATS SHOTS, GRABS BOARDS
Sophomore Sadie Maas is Northwest's top shot blocker (48) and rebounder (7.6 rpg).
    Maas ranks No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 in the MIAA in blocked shots (48). She ranks seventh in the MIAA in total rebounds (175).
    Maas possesses eight career 10-plus rebound performances as a Bearcat, including six this season.
    Maas has collected 96 career blocked shots to rank No. 7 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots list. She is looking to become only the fifth Bearcat to collect 100 or more career blocked shots. Maas has blocked at least one shot in 44 different games as a collegiate player.
    Maas's 48 blocks this season gives her two seasons that rank in the top-10 among single-season blocked shot leaders at Northwest. Maas blocked 48 shots last season, which ranks as the fifth-best single-season mark in program history.

MIAA Blocked Shot Leaders
1. Jerney Bennett (Central Okla)    92
2. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.)    48
3. Taylor Weishaar (Central Mo.)    34
    Macey Gandee (Emporia State)    34
    Delainey Wylie (Newman)    34

NCAA Blocked Shot Leaders
1. Mahogany Collins (Shaw)    107
1. Jerney Bennett (Central Okla)    92
3. Monique Emelifeonwu (USC Aiken)    90
4. Landry Allen (SW Okla. St.)    85
5. Jordyn Smith (Cal Poly Humboldt)    66
    Anna Westby (Minn.-Crookston)    66
7. Genesis Hopkins (CUI)        53
8. Rachel Roderick (Azusa Pacific)    50
9. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.0    48
    Kelly Cleaver (Millersville)    48
    Ariana Smuda (Kutztown)    48
    Kennedy Stout (Harding)        48
    Allison Undlin (U. of Mary)    48

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. Sadie Maas (2024-pr.)        96
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. Gentry Dietz (2010)        57
3. Sarah Vollertsen (2004)        55
    Jayna Green (2024)        55
5. Sadie Maas (2025)        48
    Sadie Maas (2026)        48
7. Maggie Marnin (2012)        46
8. Jayna Green (2023)        45
9. Shelby Mustain (2016)        43
    Jayna Green (2022)        43

SCORERS OF NOTE
Freshman Bailey Birmingham notched her first 20-point scoring game and her 14th double-figure contest with a 22-point performance against Rogers State.
    Sophomore Sadie Maas tied her career-high with 15 points as she eclipsed the 10-point scoring mark for the 10th time as a Bearcat vs. Rogers State.
    Junior Andrea Lopreato put up a team-high 14 points off the bench to reach double-figure scoring for the 13th time this season vs. Central Oklahoma.
    Freshman Boston Wand gained her fourth double-figure scoring game with 11 points in a 57-40 win over Central Oklahoma.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Emree Zars - 38
Bailey Birmingham - 14
Andrea Lopreato - 13
Sadie Maas - 10
Kirsten Hauck - 9
Ella Moody - 7
Avery Yosten - 5
Boston Wand - 4
Kenzie Melcher - 3
Brooklyn Stanley - 1

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

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

Career 40-Point Scoring Games
Andrea Lopreato - 1

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 110 career wins entering Thursday's game at Missouri Southern.

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)

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 4-7 in its last 10 games against ranked foes.

vs. Ranked Opponents (Austin Meyer Era)
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)

HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
Northwest is 11-3 at home this season and has reached 10 or more home wins for the third time under head coach Austin Meyer.
    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 54-47.
    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
11, 1983-84
11, 1987-88
11, 1989-90
11, 1990-91
11, 1995-96
11, 2006-07
11, 2009-10
11, 2021-22
11, 2025-26
10, 1975-76
10, 2005-06
10, 2012-13
10, 2023-24

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TIME FOR STANLEY
Sophomore guard Brooklyn Stanley put up a pair of career highs and collected her first career double-double against Missouri Western.
    Stanley scored career-highs in points (12) and rebounds (11) in the nine-point win over the Griffons in Bearcat Arena.
    Stanley produced the fourth double-double of the year for the Bearcats as Sadie Maas has two and Andrea Lopreato has one.

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

HAUCK DRAINS 7 TRIPLES
Sophomore guard Kirsten Hauck drained a career-best seven three-pointers and produced a career-high 26 points against the Missouri Western Griffons.
    Hauck's seven three-pointers is tied for the fifth-most made in a single game by a Bearcat. Hauck and Emporia State's Gracie Gilpin are tied for the MIAA single-game high this year with seven made three pointers. Hauck is tied for the 12th-most three-pointers made in a game this season by an NCAA Div. II performer.

Northwest Most 3-Pointers Made (Single Game)
1. Kelli Nelson vs. Truman (2/13/08) - 9
2. Amanda Winter vs. Missouri S&T (1/2/00), 8
    Ariel Easton vs. Saint Mary, Neb. (11/17/14) - 8
    Jasmin Howe vs. Missouri Southern (1/5/17) - 8
5. Gabby Curtis vs. Truman (2/3/11) - 7
    Jaelyn Haggard vs. Peru State (11/15/17) - 7
    Lindsay Kelderman vs. Central Oklahoma (2/23/23) - 7
    Kirsten Hauck vs. Missouri Western (1/31/26) - 7

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.
    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.