By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The perfect way for Northwest Missouri State to start its final regular-season game at Bearcat Arena was to have a senior score the first points of the game.

Now it would show a lack of respect to say Northwest has played so well this season that it can write its script for every game. Lincoln University played with too much energy to allow the Bearcats to do whatever it wanted.

But Northwest is having a special 2016-17 season and that means memorable moments happen. Once again, a feel-good moment occurred Saturday afternoon. The game started with senior Zach Schneider, one of the most decorated three-point shooters in MIAA history, knocking down a corner trey.

“It was pretty cool,” said Schneider, who finished with 17 points. “I have done it a couple of times in my career. Hopefully, I will get three more chances to do it. It was awesome.”

Schneider’s three-pointer set a tone for the game. Northwest made 11 three-pointers

The second one came from junior Chris-Ebou Ndow, which staked the Bearcats to a quick six-point lead. Northwest rode that early advantage to a 14-point halftime lead and eventually an 82-53 victory.

“We are riding the wave right now,” said senior D’Vante Mosby, who scored 12 points. “We want to see how far we can take this. We obviously have big goals. Hopefully, we have more big games ahead.”

Northwest, ranked No. 3 in the NABC top 25, improved to 26-1 overall and an impressive 18-1 in the MIAA. The Bearcats finished five games ahead of the second-place team.

Next for the Bearcats is the MIAA Tournament. Northwest, the defending conference champion, will play its quarterfinal game 6 p.m. Thursday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

“We are really looking forward to the tournament,” said senior Anthony Woods, who had five assists and five points. “We are ready to get back at it in practice. “We are focused and ready to go.”

Lincoln, playing without conference leading scorer Anthony Virdure, still gave a scrappy effort against Northwest. Twenty-three days ago, Virdure scored 50 points against Northwest in a five-point loss.

Without Virdure and a quick start by Northwest, signs pointed to an easy blowout win for the Bearcats. But after building its first double-digit lead at 18-8 on a three-pointer by Schneider, Northwest was unable to increase its advantage.

In fact, Lincoln buckled down and closed to 22-19 and even tossed up a potential game-tying three-pointer that didn’t fall.

Northwest refocused and changed the momentum when Ndow knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead back to six. After a basket by Lincoln, Northwest scored the next six points for a 31-21 lead.

Lincoln, though, didn’t wilt and that was good for Northwest because in postseason, no teams quit. The Blue Tigers closed to 32-27.

The Bearcats revved up their engine one more time and scored the final nine points in the first half for a 41-27 halftime lead.

“We did a good job of picking up our energy after the first 10-minute stretch, which I think was the biggest thing,” Schneider said. “Being able to turn it around after a bad start is important because if you have a bad start in postseason, you are going to need to turn it around really quick.”

Northwest started the second half in the same fashion as it started the game. Freshman Ryan Welty knocked down a three-pointer followed by another three-pointer from Justin Pitts, which extended Northwest’s lead to 47-27.

Lincoln put a little dent in the 20-point deficit and closed to 51-34. Northwest wiped that away on a three-pointer by Schneider. A minute later, Pitts made a circus-style layup.

Basically, in the final 12 minutes, the Bearcats entertained the 1.435 fans who showed up to watch Northwest’s trademark team basketball. Northwest showed everybody it is now ready for postseason after a truly remarkable regular season.

With a commanding lead in the final 5 minutes, McCollum was able to take each senior out individually so they were able to soak up the applause from an appreciative fan base.

— Northwest Athletics —

By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. – From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Northwest Missouri State’s women’s basketball team came out against Lincoln University with a determination to continue its basketball season.

Northwest never trailed in the second half in its 98-77 victory over Lincoln Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. The win gave Northwest the final spot in the MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats will play its first-round game Tuesday at Central Oklahoma.

“We have been working for this since preseason,” said junior Tanya Meyer, who scored 21 points. “I know the season hasn’t gone the way we wanted. We lost several close games. Being able to finish this game and get into the tournament is really big.

“I know everyone is excited. Hopefully, we can get to Kansas City next week. The atmosphere there is amazing.”

It was a do or die game for both Northwest and Lincoln. The season was over for the team that lost. Both teams played at a high level in the first half. Northwest took its game to another level in the second half.

“We had to,” Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. “I really felt in the second half we relaxed and really went out there and played.”

Leading by five at halftime, Northwest quickly increased its lead to nine at 47-38 early in the third quarter on two free throws by Meyer.

A minute later, the Bearcats went back to a nine-point lead on a field goal by senior Jasmin Howe, making it 49-40. It was a fantastic final home game for Howe, who scored consistently throughout the game. Howe finished with 23 points.

“To have my mom and brother here for my final home game as a Bearcat meant everything to me,” Howe said. “And to have this game to go the playoffs, which we haven’t been able to do the last couple of years, was so important to me. I am just happy they were here to share that moment with me.”

Meyer was another player who put up points in both halves. Her three-pointer late in the third quarter not only gave Northwest a 63-50 lead, the field goal put her over 1,000 career points.

“It is a big milestone, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates,” Meyer said. “They know when to get me the ball. They have faith in me that I can knock down shots and get to the basket.”

Northwest went into the final quarter with a 63-52 lead. The Bearcats hit an even higher gear. By the time there was 3:30 left in the game, Northwest held a commanding 89-65 lead.

Sophomore Arbrie Benson put Northwest over the 90-point level for the second time this season when she scored consecutive baskets to make it 94-69. Benson was basically unstoppable, scoring a game-high 32 points.

“Early on I wanted to be aggressive and keep my head up because I tend to get down on myself when I make mistakes and miss shots,” Benson said. “I just wanted to stay aggressive.”

Because of the scoring of Benson, Howe and Meyer, Northwest put together its best first half in a couple of weeks and went into halftime with a 42-37 lead.

“I felt the first half was kind of a rollercoaster,” Scheel said. “A few possessions here and there, they hit some big threes and we weren’t getting out on them. That was my biggest frustration. For the most part, we kept the game tight.”

It was fitting a senior got the Bearcats off to a good start. Howe scored the first basket of the game and a minute later hit a three-pointer.

Both teams were clicking on offense in the first quarter. When it ended, the game was tied 23-23.

Lincoln gained the early advantage in the second quarter. Northwest went ahead 30-29 on a three-pointer by junior Caitlin Sudduth. Lincoln went back ahead on a basket. It was the Blue Tigers’ last lead in the game.

Started by a basket from Benson, Northwest went on an 8-0 run and took a 38-31 lead. Benson led the way for the Bearcats. She scored 15 points on seven for 10 shooting from the field. As a team, Northwest shot well, connecting for 51.4 percent of its shot from the field.

— Northwest Athletics —