Thursday, Feb. 26 | 5:30 p.m. (CT) | Fugate Gymnasium | Wichita, Kan.
Northwest Missouri State at Newman
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Saturday, Feb. 28 | 1:30 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 women's basketball squad (17-10 overall, 10-7 MIAA) will finish the MIAA regular season on the road against Newman (Thursday, 5:30 p.m.) and Emporia State (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.).
    Newman (7-19 overall, 1-16 MIAA) has lost 15 consecutive games entering the final week of the MIAA slate. The Jets are 6-8 at home but have not won at home since Dec. 18 against Rockhurst.
    Emporia State (14-12 overall, 8-9 MIAA) is battling to reach the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets are 10-3 at home. The Hornets have won two in a row.

MIAA TOURN. SLOT CLINCHED
The Bearcats have clinched a spot in the 2026 MIAA Tournament set for March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
    Northwest will be seeded from No. 4 to No. 8 in the field depending upon the final week of results in league play.

SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS
Northwest extended its winning streak to seven with a 62-54 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday in Bearcat Arena. The seven-game win streak is tied for the 18th-longest active streak among NCAA Div. II women's basketball programs.
    Northwest's seven-game win streak is the second-longest active one in the league behind Central Missouri's nine-game winning streak.
    The Bearcats have not lost since Jan. 23 at Central Missouri.

ANOTHER LONG WIN STREAK
Earlier this season, Northwest had an eight-game winning streak. It was the longest in program history since the Bearcats had an 11-game win streak in the 2010-11 season.    
    The Bearcats won 11 consecutive games in the 2010-11 season (Dec. 8, 2010 - Jan. 26, 2011).
    The school record for consecutive wins is 20 in a row to begin the 1983-84 season (Nov. 18, 1983 - Feb. 1, 1984).

Northwest's Seven-Game Win Streak
Northwest 75, Mo. Western 66 (1/31/26)
Northwest 57, Central Okla. 40 (2/5/26)
Northwest 65, Rogers State 55 (2/7/26)
Northwest 65, Mo. Southern 60 (2/12/26)
Northwest 65, Pittsburg State 59 (2/14/26)
Northwest 68, Northeastern St. 56 (2/19/26)
Northwest 62, Ark.-Fort Smith 54 (2/21/26)

ALL-TIME VS. NEWMAN
Northwest is 7-0 all-time vs. Newman. Northwest is 3-0 all-time at Newman.
    Northwest escaped last season at home in overtime against the Jets, 82-76.
ALL-TIME VS. EMPORIA STATE
Emporia State holds a 48-20 lead in the all-time series with Northwest. Northwest has won four of the last five encounters, including a 77-69 overtime win in Bearcat Arena earlier this season on Dec. 4.
    Northwest is 7-24 all-time in games played at Emporia State.

STANLEY AS A STARTER
Head coach Austin Meyer inserted Brooklyn Stanley into the starting lineup Jan. 31 against Missouri Western and the Bearcats have gone 7-0 since then.
    Stanley is averaging 9.9 points per game since becoming a starter. She has produced four double-figure scoring games, including a career-high 15-point effort against nationally-ranked Pittsburg State (Feb. 14).

BAILEY BRINGS IT FROM DEEP
Freshman Bailey Birmingham leads the league with 63 made three-pointers and ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in three-point field goal percentage (.380).
    She ranks tied for No. 26 in the nation in three-pointers made and No. 29 in the country in three-point field goal percentage.
    Birmingham has made at least one three-pointers in 24 of the 26 games she has played. She has made two more three-pointers in 18 contests. Birmingham buried a season-high six three-pointers and scored 25 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith.

MIAA 3-Point FGs Made Leaders
1. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    63
2. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    61
3. Grace Gilpin (Emporia St.)        60
4. Alexis Martin (Newman)        57
5. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    53

MIAA 3-Point FG Percentage Leaders
1. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    .380
2. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    .359
3. Alexis Martin (Newman)        .358
4. Malgorzata Byczkowska (UNK)    .344
5. Grace Gilpin (Emporia St.)        .328

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.

LIMITING THE OPPOSITION
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the MIAA and No. 42 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 58.1 points per game.
    Northwest has limited 15 of its opponents to less than 60 points scored. Northwest is 12-3 when holding the opponent to 60 points or less.

60+ = WINNING NUMBER
Northwest is 16-2 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.

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

MAAS SWATS SHOTS, GRABS BOARDS
Sophomore Sadie Maas is Northwest's top shot blocker (68) and rebounder (8.2 rpg).
    Maas ranks No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the MIAA in blocked shots (66). She ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in total rebounds (221).
    Maas possesses 10 career 10-plus rebound performances as a Bearcat, including eight this season.
    Maas has collected 116 career blocked shots to rank No. 7 on Northwest's all-time blocked shots list. Maas became only the fifth Bearcat to collect 100 or more career blocked shots. Maas has blocked at least one shot in 46 different games as a collegiate player.
    Maas's 68 blocks rank as the second-best total in a single-season in Bearcat history. Maas also blocked 48 shots last season, which ranks as the sixth-best single-season mark in program history.

MIAA Blocked Shot Leaders
1. Jerney Bennett (Central Okla)    106
2. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.)    68
3. Taylor Weishaar (Central Mo.)    44
4. Delainey Wylie (Newman)    39
5. Macey Gandee (Emporia State)    37

NCAA Blocked Shot Leaders
1. Mahogany Collins (Shaw)    123
2. Landry Allen (SW Okla. St.)    111
3. Monique Emelifeonwu (USC Aiken)    109
4. Jerney Bennett (Central Okla)    106
5. Jordyn Smith (Cal Poly Humboldt)    79
6. Anna Westby (Minn.-Crookston)    73
7. Sadie Maas (Northwest Mo. St.0    68
8. Allison Undlin (U. of Mary)    61
9. Genesis Hopkins (CUI)        60
10. Breasia Colt (Livingstone)    58
    Ariana Smuda (Kutztown)    58

Northwest Blocked Shots (Career)
1. Jayna Green (2019-24)        195
2. Sarah Vollertsen (2002-04)    122
3. Sadie Maas (2024-pr.)        116
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)        66
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

HAUCK FINDS THE SHOOTING TOUCH
Sophomore Kirsten Hauck has found her shooting touch in MIAA play.
    Hauck is making 40.2% of her three-pointers (33-of-82) in MIAA games to lead the league.
    Hauck's 33 made three-pointers in MIAA games ranks tied for seventh in the league.
    On the season, Hauck has knocked in 45 three-pointers and his averaging 8.7 points per contest.

MIAA GAMES ONLY 3-Pt FGs Made Leaders
1. Mia Morel (Missouri Western)    44
2. Talexa Weeter (Fort Hays State)    41
3. Alexis Martin (Newmsn)        40
4. Bailey Birmingham (Northwest Mo. St.)    39
5. Nariah Clay (Missouri Southern)    37
6.  Gracie Gilpen (Emporia State)    36
7. Kirsten Hauck (Northwest Mo. St.)    33
    Carli Carlson (Newman)        33

SCORERS OF NOTE
Freshman Bailey Birmingham tallied a career-high 25 points vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith and reached 20-plus points for the second time this season. She has produced 17 double-figure scoring games as a Bearcat.
    Sophomore Brooklyn Stanley added her fourth career double-figure scoring game with 10 points against UAFS. She has scored in double figures in three consecutive games.
    Sophomore Kirsten Hauck notched her 10th double-figure scoring game with a team-high 16 points vs. Northeastern State.
        
Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Emree Zars - 38
Bailey Birmingham - 17
Andrea Lopreato - 14
Sadie Maas - 12
Kirsten Hauck - 10
Ella Moody - 7
Avery Yosten - 5
Brooklyn Stanley - 4
Boston Wand - 4
Kenzie Melcher - 3

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

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 114 career wins entering Thursday's game at Newman. Meyer has gone over .500 with a 114-113 all-time coaching record.

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)

TRIPLE-DOUBLE TIME
Sophomore Sadie Maas posted the MIAA's fourth triple-double of the season with a 17-point, 18-rebound and 11-block performance in a 65-60 road win over Missouri Southern.
    Nebraska-Kearney's Jillian Aschoff has two triple-doubles and Fort Hays State's Brooke Loewe has the other MIAA triple-double this season.
    Maas produced Northwest's second triple-double in program history and the first in an MIAA contest. Former Bearcat Dena McMullen had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Northwood on Dec. 19, 2000.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TALK
Sadie Maas collected her fourth career double-double and first triple-double at Missouri Southern with 17 points, 18 rebounds and 11 blocks.
    It is the fifth double-double this season for the Bearcats. Maas has three, Brooklyn Stanley has one and Andrea Lopreato has one.

Career Double-Doubles
Emree Zars - 6
Sadie Maas - 4
Kirsten Hauck - 1
Andrea Lopreato - 1
Brooklyn Stanley - 1

MAAS SWATS 11 SHOTS AT MSSU
Sophomore forward Sadie Maas set the Northwest single-game record for blocked shots with 11 at Missouri Southern.
    Maas moved past Kyla Roehrig's nine blocks vs. Truman State (March 4, 2011) to set the Northwest single-game mark.
    The 11 blocked shots tied the MIAA single-game mark with UCM's Kendra Banzet (Feb. 26, 1994) and FHSU's Kate Lehman (Dec. 16, 2014).
    Maas's 11 blocked shots is tied for the second-highest single-game NCAA Div. II mark this season with Shaw's Mahogany Collins. Southwestern Oklahoma State's Landy Allen blocked 13 shots vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State on Feb. 12, 2026.
    
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

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.