Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m. (CT) | Fugate Gymnasium | Wichita, Kan.
Northwest Missouri State at Newman
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Saturday, Feb. 28 | 3:30 p.m. (CT) | White Auditorium | Emporia, Kan.
Northwest Missouri State at Emporia State
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THIS WEEK'S ACTION
The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (13-15 overall, 6-11 MIAA) are battling to lock up a spot in the 2026 MIAA Tournament with road games against Newman (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.) and Emporia State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.).
    Newman is 5-21 overall and 1-16 in the MIAA. The Jets have lost 17 straight games entering Thursday's game against Northwest. The Jets are 4-9 at home this season, but have not won a home game since Dec. 13 against Kansas Christian.
    Emporia State is 9-17 overall and 5-12 in the MIAA. The Hornets are in contention for a spot in the MIAA Tournament. ESU will play at Missouri Western Wednesday before playing host to Northwest on Saturday at White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan. ESU is 6-5 at home this year.

MIAA TOURNAMENT
Northwest is looking to clinch a spot in the 2026 MIAA Tournament set for March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
    The top 10 teams in the league will qualify for the the MIAA Tournament.
    Northwest is in 10th place in the league standings entering the final week of conference play. One win combined with one Emporia State loss and one Northeastern State loss would clinch a spot in the MIAA Tournament for the Bearcats.
    Northwest currently holds the season tiebreaker with Nebraska-Kearney (6-12 MIAA), Northeastern State (5-12 MIAA) and Emporia State (5-12 MIAA).

ALL-TIME VS. NEWMAN
Northwest is 5-2 all-time vs. Newman. The Bearcats are 5-1 vs. the Jets since they joined the MIAA.

ALL-TIME VS. EMPORIA STATE
Northwest owns a 53-28 lead in the all-time series with Emporia State.
    Northwest has won six of the last seven meetings against the Hornets, including a 77-70 victory vs. ESU in Bearcat Arena on Dec. 4.

'CATS DEFEND THE ARC
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the MIAA and No. 24 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense (29.9%).
    Only four of 27 opponents have shot better than .400 from the arc this season against the Bearcats.
    UMSL went 10-of-22 (.455), Missouri Western went 10-of-20 (.500), Nebraska-Kearney went 11-of-25 (.440) and Northeastern State went 10-of-22 (.455) to be the only four teams to shoot better than 40% from distance against the Bearcats this season.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN THE NATION
Northwest has played the nation's oughest schedule this season.
    Northwest's opponent win percentage is .641 (419-235) through 28 games.
    Emporia State ranks No. 3 with a .619 opponent winning percentage (386-238).

NCAA Div. II Toughest Schedules
1. Northwest Mo. St.     .641 (419-235)
2. Clarion, Pa.        .635 (383-220)
3. Emporia St.        .619 (386-238)
4. Gannon        .610 (390-249)
5. Missouri Western    .609 (426-273)
6. Lake Superior St.    .607 (342-221)
7. Clayton St.        .606 (390-254)
8. Washburn        .596 (388-263)
9. Kentucky Wesleyan    .588 (344-241)
10. Dallas Baptist        .584 (416-296)

GARCIA IMPRESSES WITH FRESHMAN PLAY
Freshman Robby Garcia has scored in double figures in three straight games and in nine of the last 12 games, including a career-high 24 points against Northeastern State.
    Garcia buried a career-best five three-pointers and was 9-of-17 from the field in an 87-80 victory over NSU.
    Garcia is averaging 9.2 points per game. He is scoring 10.8 points per game in MIAA play.

ROBBY DIALED IN FROM 3
Freshman Robby Garcia has made 41.3% of his threes this season to lead the squad. Garcia has knocked in 33-of-80 from three-point range on the year.
    His 33 made three-pointers rank third on the team.

ROYCE AMONG THE BEST IN THE MIAA
Senior guard Royce Williams is the only player in the MIAA to lead his team in scoring (14.2), rebounding (6.5), assists (3.9) and steals (1.5).

ROYCE AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Williams is 79-of-92 (85.9%) at the free throw line. He ranks No. 4 in the  MIAA in free throw percentage.
    Williams had a streak of 28 straight made free throws snapped with a miss against No. 12-ranked Missouri S&T.

MIAA Free Throw % - Leaders
1. Tim Jordan Jr. (Rogers St.)    .879
2. Ja'Bryant Hill (Nebraska-Kearney)    .877
3. Connor Rogers (Pittsburg St.)    .864
4. Royce Williams (Northwest Mo. St.)    .859
5. Kameron Johnson (UAFS)    .841

WILLIAMS IN MIAA PLAY
Senior guard Royce Williams ranks No. 8 in the league by averaging 16.3 points per game in MIAA games.
    Williams is 39-of-96 (40.6%) from three-point range in MIAA games, which ranks No. 2 in the league. Williams ranks tied for No. 6 in the MIAA with 38 made three-pointers in league games.
    Williams registered a career-high 30 points in leading Northwest to a 77-70 win over Emporia State.

MIAA-ONLY 3-FGS MADE - Leaders
1. Jevon Hill (Central Mo.)        54
2. Brandon Scott (Ark.-Fort Smith)    43
    Lazerek Houston (Central Mo.)    43
4. Aiden Gair (Northwest Mo. St.)    41
    Gavyn Elkamil (Mo. Southern)    41
6. Royce Williams (Northwest Mo. St.)    38

MIAA-ONLY 3-FGS % - Leaders
1. Jevon Hill (Central Mo.)        .437
2. Royce Williams (Northwest Mo. St.)    .406
3. Gavyn Elkamil (Mo. Southern)    .398
4. Lazerek Houston (Central Mo.)    .389
5. Aiden Gair (Northwest Mo. St.)    .338

WALTERS AVERAGING NEARLY DOUBLE-FIGURES IN MIAA ACTION
Redshirt freshman Larenz Walters is averaging 9.9 points per game in MIAA contests. Walters has reached double-figure scoring in seven of Northwest's 15 MIAA games this season.
    Walters has made at least one three-pointer in 15 games. Walters has drained 21 three-pointers this season.
    Walters put up career-highs in points (24) and rebounds (8) in a double-overtime matchup with Nebraska-Kearney.
    
GAIR HITS TRIPLES
Senior Aiden Gair leads the team three-pointers made (72). Gair ranks second on the team in scoring (13.3 ppg).
    Gair has sank 167 three pointers in his NCAA collegiate career with 95 made triples at Millersville.
    Gair ranks tied for second in the MIAA in three-pointers made with 72. He ranks tied for No. 36 in the country in three-pointers made.
    
MIAA 3-Point FGs Made - Leaders
1. Jevon Hill (Central Mo.)        104
2. Aiden Gair (Northwest Mo. St.)    72
    Jack Bachelor (Washburn)    72
4. Gavyn Elkamil (Mo. Southern)    69
5. Lazerek Houston (Central Mo.)    62

SCORING NOTES
Senior Royce Williams has put up 35 career double-figure scoring games which inclues a game-high 25 points vs. Northeastern State. Williams has had eight 20-point scoring games in college.
    Senior Aiden Gair gained his seventh career 20-point scoring game with 21 points at Missouri Southern. Gair has tallied 44 career double-figure scoring games after putting up 14 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith.
    Freshman Robby Garcia secured his first career 20-point scoring game with a 24-point effort against Northeastern State. Garcia has 12 double-figure scoring games.
        
Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Aiden Gair - 44
Royce Williams - 35
Matthew Mayes - 29
Trey Moala - 13
Robby Garcia - 12
Jack Ratigan - 12
Larenz Walters - 8
Presley Ibeh - 6
Gob Gob - 2
Mikhail Abdul-Hamid - 1

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Royce Williams - 8
Aiden Gair - 7
Matthew Mayes - 2
Robby Garcia - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Aiden Gair - 1
Royce Williams - 1

GET TO 70 FOR THE WIN
Northwest is 13-3 this season when scoring 70 or more points.

80 OR MORE FOR KEELEY
The Bearcats are 10-1 when they score 80 or more points under head coach Matt Keeley.
    Northwest went 2-0 in the 2024-25 season when scoring 80 or more points.
    Northwest is 8-1 this season when scoring 80 or more points.

Northwest Scoring 80 or More (Keeley)
W, 87-80 vs. Northeastern State (2/19/26)
W, 81-74 at Missouri Southern (2/12/26)
W, 80-75 at Central Missouri (1/23/26)
L, 96-89 (2OT) vs. Nebraska-Kearney (1/15/26)
W, 100-94 at Nebraska-Kearney (1/3/26)
W, 96-58 vs. Kansas Wesleyan (12/17/25)
W, 97-59 vs. York (11/26/25)
W, 85-72 vs. Augustana (11/15/25)
W, 82-79 vs. UMSL (11/1/25)
W, 81-74 at Northeastern State (2/20/25)
W, 83-80 at Central Washington (12/16/24)

HALFTIME DEFICITS ERASED
Twice this season, Northwest has faced a halftime deficit and rallied to win the contest.
    Northwest snapped an 0-for-27 stretch of losing when trailing at the half under head coach Matt Keeley with an 80-79 win at Central Missouri.
    Northwest also faced a 33-30 deficit against Central Oklahoma, but rallied to score a 72-65 victory over the Bronchos in Bearcat Arena.

COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwest came back from a 12-point second-half deficit at Central Missouri to record an 80-79 road triumph in Warrensburg, Mo.
    UCM held a 66-54 lead with 8:08 left in the second half. Northwest out-scored UCM the rest of the way, 26-13. Nothwest's final bucket came with :02 left on a baseline jumper from senior Royce Williams to secure the one-point triumph.

KEELEY 2-0 AT UCM
Head coach Matt Keeley improved to 2-0 in two trips to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center with an 80-79 victory over UCM on a last-second jumper by Royce Williams.
    Last season, Keeley led the Bearcats to a 63-62 last-second win over the Mules on a three-pointer from Luke Moustakas.

IBEH HITS FOR 17 AT UCM
Redshirt freshman Presley Ibeh posted a career-high 17 points, with 11 of them coming in the second half of Northwest's 80-79 win over Central Missouri.
    Ibeh went 7-of-11 from the floor and drained 2-of-3 from three-point range vs. the Mules.
    It was only his third double-figure scoring game of the season. He came into the contest averaging 3.4 points per game.

JACK ATTACKS THE GLASS
Junior Jack Ratigan grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds against Nebraska-Kearney.
    Ratigan's 17 caroms are the most by a Bearcat in five seasons as Ryan Hawkins tallied a 17-rebound performance vs. Central Oklahoma (Jan. 23, 2021).
    Ratigan had one rebound at halftime vs. UNK before securing 16 in the second half and overtime periods. Ratigan's previous career-high for rebounds was 13.

RATIGAN RATCHES UP A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Junior forward Jack Ratigan collected his first double-double of the season and third of his career against Rogers State. Ratigan added 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Hillcats.
    Ratigan has reached 10 or more rebounds twice this season with a career-high 17 against Nebraska-Kearney.
    Ratigan has garnered five double-figure rebound games as a Bearcat.

Career Double-Doubles
Jack Ratigan - 3
Royce Williams - 2

MAYES IS A SCORING BOOST, AT A HIGH PERCENTAGE
Senior Matthew Mayes is third on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg).
    Mayes is shooting 49.7% from the floor having drained 71-of-143 shots.
    Mayes tied his career-high in points with 22 against Kansas Wesleyan. Mayes also had a 22-point scoring effort at Henderson State against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Feb. 6, 2025.

FOUR RETURNERS
The Bearcat roster features four players returning from last year's squad.
    Juniors Jack Ratigan and Trey Moala are the only two returnees who saw action last season.
    Larenz Walters and Presley Ibeh were on the squad last season but redshirted and did not see any action.
    
TRANSFER PORTAL
Northwest added six NCAA Div. I or Div. II transfers for this year's roster.
    Gob Gob is a Div. I transfer from UMKC. Gob played 19 games and scored 57 points for the Roos. Gob tallied a 16-point output vs. Oral Roberts (Feb. 1, 2025).
    Aiden Gair is a Div. II transfer from Millersville in Pennsylvania. Gair started 30 games and averaged 14.4 points for the Marauders. Gair buried 95 three-pointers to rank No. 17 in the nation.
    Matthew Mayes is a Div. II transfer from Henderson State. Mayes played in 28 games and made 21 starts for the Reddies. Mayes averaged 11.3 points per game. He dished out 77 assists and tallied 70 steals. Mayes ranked No. 17 in the nation in steals in 2024-25.
    Royce Williams is a Div. II transfer from Southern New Hampshire. Williams played three seasons for SNHU and saw action in 69 games with 15 starts. He averaged 9.3 points per game in 2024-25. He shot 46.6% from the floor and grabbed 83 rebounds. Williams played in the 2025 NCAA Tournament for SNHU.
    Osa Obasohan is a Div. I transfer from Hawaii. Obasohan played in 10 games for the Rainbow Warriors and scored six points. He played in a French under-21 league in 2023-24.
    Jack Webb is a Div. I transfer from Central Michigan. Webb last played for the Chippewas in the 2021-22 season. He played in 29 games and scored 13 points for the Chippewas in the Mid-American Conference.

THIRD 90-POINT GAME
Northwest surpassed 90 points for the third time this season and second time in head coach Matt Keeley's career as a Bearcat with a 100-94 MIAA road win over Nebraska-Kearney.

BEARCATS HIT CENTURY MARK
Northwest reached the century mark for the first time under head coach Matt Keeley in a 100-94 win at Nebraska-Kearney.
    It was Northwest's first 100-point game since its 105-53 win over UNK on Feb. 1, 2024.

KEELEY IN OVERTIME GAMES
Northwest is 0-2 under head coach Matt Keeley in overtime contests. Keeley dropped an 80-76 overtime decision to Southwestern (Kan.) College on Dec. 20, 2024.
    Keeley and the Bearcats had a double-overtime setback against Nebraska-Kearney (Jan. 15, 2026), 96-89.

35-12 VS. RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 2015-16
Northwest is 35-12 vs. ranked opponents since the 2015-16 season. Northwest has lost seven straight games against foes ranked in the NABC Top 25.

Bearcats vs. NABC Ranked Foes (Since 2016)
L, 94-44 at No. 1 Washburn (1/21/26)
L, 76-53 vs. No. 1 Washburn (1/10/26)
L, 80-54 vs. No. 12 Missouri S&T (12/13/25)
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)

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 181-30, including a tally of 122-24 in MIAA play.
    Since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest has compiled a home record of 136-23. In that same stretch, Northwest is 98-18 in home MIAA contests.

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    0-10 (0-9)
2025-26    5-6 (2-5)

MIAA PRESEASON POLLS
The Bearcats have been projected to finish 11th by the media and 14th by the coaches in the MIAA's preseason basketball polls.

2025-26 MIAA Coaches Poll
1. Washburn [13] – 169 points
2. Rogers State [1] – 141 points
3. Central Oklahoma – 137 points
4. Fort Hays State – 134 points
5. Pittsburg State – 127 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 106 points
7. Central Missouri – 102 points
8. Missouri Western – 79 points
9. Northeastern State – 62 points
10. Emporia State – 59 points
11. Newman – 52 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41 points
13. Missouri Southern – 35 points
14. Northwest Missouri State – 30 points
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team

2025-26 MIAA Media Poll
1. Washburn [23] – 346 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] – 297 points
3. Rogers State [1] – 286 points
4. Pittsburg State – 280 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 229 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 211 points
7. Central Missouri – 186 points
8. Missouri Western – 169 points
9. Emporia State – 159 points
10. Northeastern State – 132 points
11. Northwest Missouri State – 108 points
12. Newman – 93 points
13. Missouri Southern – 69 points
14. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59 points

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.