The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team fell to No. 11 Central Missouri, 77-56, on Saturday at the Multi in Warrensburg, Mo. The Bearcats finish the regular season with a 7-12 mark in MIAA play and were 10-16 overall. UCM claimed the outright conference title, going 17-2 with a 23-3 overall record, winning the last eight games of the season.

Ariel Easton scored a game-high 19 points, hitting four three pointers. Meridee Scott had 13 points for Northwest and Tember Schechinger added 11. The Bearcats forced 12 turnovers and had nine steals to go along with a pair of blocked shots.

Easton hit four first half three pointers to keep the Bearcats in it. She finished the opening 20 with 17 points. Northwest to within eight late, 39-31, but a buzzer beating three pointer gave UCM a 42-31 lead heading into the break.

Northwest has secured the No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 Northeastern State in the first round of the MIAA tournament on Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena. Tickets will be available at the arena on the day of the game.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team defeated Sioux Falls Saturday with a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning to take home the 6-5 victory.

Torri Blythe knocked in the first run of the game when she hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field which enabled Taylor Blackford to score from third to put the Bearcats up 1-0.

Sioux Falls was able to plate two runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead.

Baylee Scarbrough reached on an error to start the bottom half of the fourth inning and was later driven in by Maddie Jones to cut the USF lead to 4-2.

Both teams traded runs in the sixth inning with Northwest’s coming from a solo home run off the bat of Taszia Roseberry, her team leading fourth home run of the season.

The Bearcats trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Ereth started the inning off by reaching first base on a fielding error. Steph Mark drove her in from first with a double to the right center ally. Chantel Adams then hit a rocket by the shortstop to score Ashley Wilcox, who had come into run for Mark, and tied the game at 5-5.

Scarbrough hit an infield single which put the winning run on third base. Cassidy Lee then stepped to the plate and hit a shot up the middle, which was stopped by the diving second baseman of USF who was unable to get the throw off. Lee was safe at first and Adams crossed home plate to complete the last inning comeback for the 6-5 win.

Northwest moves to 3-6 on the season. Head Coach Ryan Anderson’s squad will open conference play Saturday as they take on Washburn in Topeka, Kan. with game time set for noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team dropped two games Friday as the Bearcats fell to Sioux Falls, 6-5, in game one and 6-1 to Wayne State in game two.

The pitchers for both teams dominated the first five innings as they totaled 13 strikeouts while allowing only one walk.

The Bearcats were the first team to get a hit when Jordan Ereth doubled to left center field to leadoff the fourth inning. Stephanie Mark singled to right center to knock in Ereth and put her team up 1-0.

Bailee Scarbrough added to the lead in the fifth inning when she knocked her first collegiate home run over the left field fence.

Sarah Baldwin took a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth for Northwest, but was unable to keep the Sioux Falls hitters at bay. SF was able to scrape across six runs to take a 6-2 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning.

Mark leadoff the inning with a solo home run, which was followed by a double off the bat of Chantel Adams. Adams was able to trot home when Taszia Roseberry hit her third home run of the season. The Bearcats fell one run short in their last inning comeback bid, falling 6-5.

Game two pitted Northwest against Wayne State.

Mark provided the only offensive spark for the Bearcats as she hit her second home run of the day in the bottom of the second inning to put her team up 1-0.

WSU scored two in the sixth and four more in the seventh as Northwest was unable to answer.

Abbie Vitosh was tagged with the loss in the 6-1 defeat.

The Bearcats move to 2-6 on the season and will turn around and play Sioux Falls Saturday in a one game affair, with first pitch scheduled for noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —

DeShaun Cooper. Tyler Funk. Kyle Schlake. Dillon Starzl. Bryston Williams.

They left in style. In their final game ever at Bearcat Arena, they helped Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team to an impressive 89-62 victory over Southwest Baptist.

The five seniors deserve individual recognition because of the unselfish way they gave to the program throughout their years as Bearcats.

“They changed the whole culture of the program, hopefully for the future,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “Obviously, I have learned a lot from these kids and their winning attitude. I continue to learn from them.”

Cooper, Funk, Schlake, Starzl and Williams represented Northwest with class.

“Coach Mac recruits those kinds of kids, good kids but good basketball players also,” Funk said. “He recruits players with character and that goes a long ways with teamwork and chemistry on the floor.

“We want to play the right way and get after you. But we are going to play the right way within in the rules. Hopefully, we are going to come out on top.”

They came to Northwest when the Bearcats were one of the doormats in the MIAA. They worked and sacrificed to make the Bearcats the best in conference.

Northwest improved to 21-6 overall and 16-2 in the MIAA. The Bearcats have a one game lead over Central Missouri. The two teams will face each other Saturday in Warrensburg. No matter what happens Saturday, the Bearcats have at least a share of the conference title

“I just remember how far we have come since our freshman year and not making the tourney and now we have two conference championships,” Funk said.

After the game, the Bearcats cut down the nets and received a trophy to celebrate their conference title. They then had plenty of photos taken of them by parents, grandparents and friends.

“You really can’t put it into words,” Starzl said. “It has been great here at Northwest. I couldn’t ask for a better place to be at. The fans are awesome. I love support for this last game.

“It has been a fun ride, but we want to keep going. We are happy today, but tomorrow we are refocusing for our new goals for the rest of the season.”

If Northwest plays anything like it did in the opening four minutes of the second half, the Mules will be in trouble.

Northwest started the second half with a seven-point lead and it quickly jumped to double digits on a three-pointer by freshman Zach Schneider, who already plays the game in a mature manner like the seniors.

After Baptist made a three-pointer, Schneider followed with a basket, making it 45-36 in favor of Northwest.

Now the fun started and a near packed arena enjoyed every minute of it. Starzl received a pass from sophomore Conner Crooker that led to a dunk.

In the next possession, Starzl received a pass from Schneider that led to another layup, giving Northwest a 49-36 lead.

Williams then took over with two straight buckets and two free throws that increased the Bearcats lead to 55-36. The 14-0 run concluded on a sweet fade-away in the paint by Starzl.

The 21-point lead essentially put the game away. The last 14 minutes gave fans an opportunity to recognize they were watching a special group of players.

With such a big lead, each senior was able to leave the game to applause from the appreciative fans.

“That was special,” Starzl said.

The student section then stood up and chanted “Thank you seniors. Thank you seniors.”

“That gave me goose bumps,” Starzl said.

After the game, the players rushed over to the student section and thanked their peers. That display of gratitude is what college athletics should always strive to be.

Cooper finished with 24 points and Starzl added 21.

The first half was every bit as impressive for the Bearcats.

When Northwest turns it up a notch, the ride is exhilarating for Bearcat fans and demoralizing for opponents.

Baptist experienced this in the first half. At one point Baptist was up 27-19 and feeling pretty good about itself.

“I just think being the last game, we had some nerves early,” Starzl said. “We played a lot better towards the end of the first half.”

Indeed.

Baptist went into halftime down 40-33. They got a taste of the inside play of Starzl and the quickness of Cooper.

The last 3 minutes of the first half were spectacular for the Bearcats. It started with a routine two free throws by Grant Cozad that gave Northwest a 33-31 lead with 2:50 left in the first half.

Cooper followed with a three-pointer and then he made the move of the half. He drove to the basket, got into the paint and tossed the ball high off the glass, giving Northwest a 38-31.

What a special night of basketball.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Down by 11 early in the second half and looking at a potential four-game losing streak, the Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team rose up against Southwest Baptist and played inspired basketball.

Northwest started pounding the ball inside and found success, beating Baptist 76-72 Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena.

The victory puts Northwest in the MIAA Tournament and keeps hope alive for a first-round game at Bearcat Arena.

“It is such a relief,” Northwest senior guard Monique Stevens said. “It is really nice that we have clinched it. Now we just have to play inspired basketball and look forward to Saturday.”

It was the proper send off for Stevens and senior guard Meridee Scott, who were playing their last regular-season home game. Each played a role in the second-half turnaround.

Scott, who graduated from Maryville High School, finished with 10 points, many coming at key times.

“It is sad, but exciting at the same time,” Scott said of her last regular-season home game. “We are just excited that we won. We just really wanted to get in that tournament. Winning tonight meant a whole lot for us (seniors) and our team. I am so happy we won tonight.”

For a while, it looked bleak when Northwest trailed 42-31 early in the second half. The Bearcats appeared to be in their late-season funk.

Northwest, though, started driving the ball inside and that opened up the outside enough for Stevens to hit consecutive three-pointers that turned a 44-40 deficit into a 46-44 lead with 13:30 left in the game.

“They were really important,” said Stevens, who finished with six points and three assists. “I haven’t been shooting the ball well the last three games. I knew how important it was to get my shot back. I hit the first one and it gave me a little confidence.

“Hitting the second one opened the inside presence so much more.”

Baptist grabbed two more leads over the next couple of minutes. The last was 50-49. Northwest took the lead for good at 51-50 on an inside basket by Annie Mathews.

Tember Schechinger followed that with back-to-back drives to the basket that resulted in two layups, pushing Northwest’s lead to 55-50. She finished with a team-high 16 points on six of eight shooting from the field.

The Bearcats maintained control the rest of the way because they shared the basketball, got it inside and took the least difficult shot available.

“You look down our stat line and we had more assists than turnovers,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “It talks about how we shared the basketball tonight. We didn’t settle.

“We had six girls in double figures. The word team is the first thing that comes to my mind when I see that stat.”

The win could not have come at a better time for the Bearcats, who improved to 10-15 overall and 7-11 in the MIAA. Northwest will conclude its regular season Saturday at Central Missouri.

Northwest will need confidence against the Jennies, who are battling for first place with Emporia State.

The Bearcats just need to play the way it did in the second half against Baptist instead of the first half.

Northwest shot 61 percent from the field in the second half and only committed five turnovers in the final 20 minutes.

“It was definitely a tale of two halves,” Smith said. “It was great. I thought our fans deserved that second-half performance. I felt in the first half we played with just enough energy to not to lose. We played a little timid and that has been the story the last couple of games.

“A lot of coaches would have went into halftime and screamed and yelled.”

Smith said he spoke in a calm manner.

“I told them you are playing really uninspired basketball,” Smith said. “It is very disappointing to me and disappointing to our fans. Our fans deserve more.

“We got 20 minutes of basketball to play. We can play like we are capable of and if we lose, I am going to be OK with it. I said if we play like we are capable of, we are probably going to win.”

The Bearcats proved Smith right.

Northwest started the game well. The Bearcats moved the ball around and got open shots. The Bearcats led to a 14-7 lead.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats couldn’t sustain it. They went cold from the field. Baptist went on a 19-4 run for a 26-18 lead.

It didn’t stop there. Northwest fell behind 34-23 before it finally regrouped and went into halftime down 36-29.

Statistically, the first half was fairly even. The difference was Baptist getting to more of the loose balls and grabbing a couple of more offensive rebounds, which led to a few more second-chance points.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team picked up an 8-3 victory over Nebraska-Kearney in the weekend finale for the Bearcats at Walter Johnson Field in Coffeyville, Kan. The win gave Northwest a series split at 2-2 after winning Friday but dropping two games yesterday. The Bearcats are now 5-5 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play. UNK drops to 8-3 overall and 2-2 in league action

Northwest scored the first six runs of the game before UNK got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Hondo Pearcy came within an out of a complete game, pitching 8.2 innings allowing just two earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts. Daulton Perry struck out the only batter he faced in the ninth to finish the game.

Brandon Huske got things rolling in the first, drawing a walk, and was followed by Paul Johnson getting hit by a pitch. Ryan Abernathy hit a double, scoring both runners but was picked off second after Johnson scored on a throwing error. In the fourth, Northwest picked up three runs as Jon Pomatto tripled in Austin Wulff and Steve Garber. Pomatto would score on a Zac Ferreira groundout. Johnson led off the fifth with a double and scored on an Eric McGlauflin single.

Northwest added runs in the seventh and eighth innings as well. Abernathy scored in the seventh on a McGlauflin single, his second RBI of the game. In the eighth, Zack Ferreira singled in Pomatto who started the inning with a walk and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Hardegree.

Northwest will host its home opener on Friday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. against Missouri Western.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday at Walter Johnson Park in Coffeyville, Kan. The Bearcats fell 9-7 in the first game and 6-5 in the second, both were seven-inning contests. Northwest is now 4-5 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play. UNK improved to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in league action.

Game One

UNK jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with a run in the first and three in the second. Northwest scored in the third after Zack Ferreira tripled to start the inning and scored on a Ryan Abernathy single. UNK added a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning but gave up four runs to the Bearcats in the top of the fourth as Northwest took advantage of a hit batter and an error to pull within two. The Lopers added a run in the bottom of the fourth and had two more in the bottom of the fifth. Northwest scored twice in the top of the seventh but was unable to push across the tying runs.

Abernathy had three hits and drove in two runs for Northwest. Jon Pomatto had two hits and scored a run. Austin Wulff and Ferreira each accounted for two Bearcat runs. Northwest had nine hits and forced three UNK errors.

Rob Henrichs started the game for Northwest but was only able to go 2.1 innings, giving up six runs. Nikko Pablo pitched 2.2 innings, Tanner Smith got two outs in the sixth and Daulton Perry got the final out of the game for the Bearcats.

Game Two

Northwest scored in its first at bat as Eric McGlauflin singled in Paul Johnson to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead in the first. But UNK had a five-run second inning to pull ahead. But the Bearcats battled back, scoring three runs in the top of the second and tied it in the third on a sacrifice fly from Blake Hardegree to score Wulff who started the inning with a walk. In the ninth, UNK used a sacrifice bunt to move a runner into scoring position and plated the winning run on a wild pitch.

McGlauflin had a pair of hits for Northwest and an RBI. Johnson, Abernathy, Hardegree and Ferreira all tallied and RBI. Brandon Huske, Johnson, Wulf, Hardegree and Ferreira all crossed the plate for the Bearcats.

Kole Klocko overcame a rough start to give the Bearcats 5.1 strong innings, striking out three while working through four scoreless innings after the first.

Up Next

Northwest will play UNK in the final game of the series at noon on Sunday afternoon. The game will be a nine-inning contest.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team opened MIAA play with a 13-6 win over Nebraska-Kearney in Coffeyville, Kan., on Friday.

The game was moved there due to weather concerns in Kearney, Neb. For head coach Darin Loe, it was his 370th victory with the Bearcats, becoming the program’s all-time leader in wins.
Northwest moves to 4-3 on the year and 1-0 in MIAA play. UNK falls to 6-2 and 0-1 in league action.

Brandon Huske and Austin Wulf each had four hit games with each scoring three runs. Pomatto drove in three runs including a second inning solo shot.

Northwest scored in the first inning as Wulf singled in Huske. After UNK tied it, Northwest added a pair in the second and broke it open in with a four-run fourth. Northwest would add two in the seventh on hits by Zac Ferreira and Huske.

The Lopers responded with a four-run seventh inning to pull within four at 10-6. But Steve Garber had an RBI double in the top of the eighth, followed by a Pomatto two-RBI double, to stretch the lead to seven.

Ryker Fox picked up the win for Northwest, going 6.1 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. He only allowed one walk. Tanner Smith and Daulton Perry combined to work scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. Both games will be seven-inning contests.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team took a double-digit lead into halftime and maintained it most of the second half.

But Northwest’s 70-59 victory over Lindenwood Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena wasn’t as easy as the sizeable lead made it look.

For a team that entered the late-season road game with a losing record, Lindenwood played hard throughout and made Northwest work for its 19th victory.

The win helped Northwest stay in first place in the MIAA. With three regular-season games left, Northwest heads into Saturday’s contest at Missouri Western with a 19-6 overall record and 14-2 in the MIAA.

“We have a tough road game on Saturday,” said senior Dillon Starzl, who finished with 13 points. “We just have to come out and attack each game with the mentality that we are going to be more aggressive and fight in each possession against every team.”

The Lions gave themselves a brief bit of upset hope when they started the second half with a three-pointer, closing to 31-24.

Northwest scored the next five points and held a double-digit lead until 1 minute remained in the game.

It was a workmanlike effort that was impressive in its efficiency by the Bearcats. Northwest played great defense and fundamental, inside-outside offense.

For example, midway through the second half, Matt Wallace passed the ball inside to Starzl, who powered through for a layup, giving Northwest a 45-31 lead.

“At halftime, he (Northwest coach Ben McCollum) said I wasn’t being aggressive enough,” Starzl said. “He said I needed to act like the player I am and stop being passive and go to the hole and score.

“It worked a little better in the second half. I should get that mindset at the start of the game.”

Several possessions later, Bryston Williams dumped the ball inside to Starzl, who again went up strong for a field goal in the paint, making it 59-35.

Those inside buckets opened the outside for sophomore Conner Crooker, who knocked down three-pointers. One of them gave Northwest a 54-40 lead.

Crooker made four of five from three-point range, in part because Starzl and Grant Cozad combined to go 9 for 13 from the field, most of which came in the paint.

“We were getting more post touches for Dillon and they were doubling up and I was able to relocate and Dillon would find me,” Crooker said. “I was getting open shots.”

The Bearcats lead bloomed to 63-47, but Lindenwood kept playing hard and with a minute left, the Lions trailed 68-59.

After a somewhat sluggish start that saw Northwest give up the first six points in the game, the Bearcats finished the first half strong.

Freshman Zach Schneider drained back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute of the half, sending the Bearcats into halftime with a 31-21 lead.

“That was key for us because we were struggling in the first half,” Starzl said. “Zach hit two big threes at the end of the first half and that really got us going into halftime.

“We knew coach Mac was mad at us already so it helped us a little bit, but we got to come out more aggressive.”

Lindenwood put a smidgen of a scare into the Bearcats when it led 8-3 early on. Northwest immediately went on an 11-0 run to quickly bring order to the game.

But Lions refused to let Northwest to roll on by them. They stayed close, facing small deficits of 19-17 and 21-19.

Bearcat defense is what tamed the Lions. Northwest allowed only seven Lindenwood field goals in the first half.

Northwest will head to Missouri Western for a 1:30 p.m. game on Saturday against the Griffons. The first 100 Northwest students who show their Bearcat card at the Missouri Western ticket office will receive FREE admission to the game. Students arriving after the 100 tickets are given out can purchase tickets for $5 each.

— Northwest Sports Information —

After a valiant effort to overcome a nine-point deficit with 5:49 left in the game, Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team failed to ride its momentum into overtime.

For the second straight game, the Bearcats lost in overtime. Lindenwood avenged a loss to Northwest a few weeks ago and won 79-74 in overtime at Bearcat Arena.

Northwest was playing without freshman starting center Shelby Mustain, who was out with the flu.

“We didn’t lose because we were without Shelby,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “We lost because Lindenwood gave more effort than we did.

“We settled too much for threes. We talked about it at halftime, and obviously, it went in one ear and out the other. We had kids who were trying to be superstars when they should not have been.

“We had some really bad mishaps at crucial times. The sad thing is that has been the story of our season.”

The loss dropped Northwest to 9-14 overall and 6-10 in the MIAA. Lindenwood improved to 13-11 and 8-9. Northwest and the Lions are fighting for a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

“There was a little pressure in this game and there should be,” Smith said. “I want players who can handle the tightness of a game. They knew Lindenwood was one game ahead of us.”

The Bearcats will try to bounce back Saturday at Missouri Western.

“There’s a lot riding on these games,” said Northwest junior Annie Mathews, who finished with 20 points and six rebounds. “Coach told us after the game we are under some pressure. We have to step up and handle it. Winning this game would have put us in better position.”

Both teams played with the tenacity that something important was at stake.

It appeared Lindenwood was in control when Jenny Rocha completed a three-point play that gave the Lions a 54-45 lead.

In less than 2 minutes, Northwest closed to 54-52 with 4:18 left. With 52 seconds left, Northwest took a 58-57 lead on a basket by Mathews.

Seven seconds later, Lindenwood went back in front by one. The Lions later added a free throw for a 60-58 lead.

But with 28 seconds left, Ashleigh Nelson tied the game for Northwest. The Bearcats played solid defense, preventing Lindenwood from getting a good shot off.

Northwest started overtime well. Tember Schechinger drove to the basket for a layup, giving the Bearcats a 62-60.

The Bearcats were then struck by the first of two three-point daggers by Morgan Johnson. Johnson, who was 1 for 8 from three-point range in regulation, found her shot in overtime.

Her first three-pointer in overtime gave Lindenwood a 63-62 lead and her second one put the Lions ahead 68-64.

“Overtime is another quarter,” said Northwest guard Ariel Easton. “You have different players step up and do good things.”

It was a tough loss for the Bearcats. A big reason Northwest managed to force overtime was because it turned the ball over just six times and forced 21 turnovers.

“I personally feel it comes down to effort,” said Ariel Easton. “One lapse on the court and that is the difference right there. We had some possessions where we steal the ball and then when we come back down, we have to have the same intensity.”

Mathews and Easton agreed that the Bearcats did not consistently play good defense. Lindenwood shot a blistering 57 percent from the field.

“Our defense just wasn’t there tonight,” Mathews said. “We should not have given up that many points.

“We have played really good defense the past couple of games. That has what has helped us get the results we have been getting. We didn’t execute our defense well tonight.”

After a great start, Northwest sputtered in the latter portion of the first half and went into halftime down 26-25.

The Bearcats scored the first seven points and quickly built a 10-2 lead on a three-pointer by Ariel Easton. It was the second three-pointer by the Bearcats in the opening minutes.

“We came out strong, but knowing we beat them before, we can’t be content with that,” Mathews said. “That could have been the case tonight.”

Northwest got a bit too enamored with the long-range bombs. The Bearcats kept firing, but the balls stopped dropping through the nets.

By midway through the first half, Northwest held a slim 12-11 lead. The Bearcats managed to stay ahead or tie until late in the first half when Jenny Rocha scored two of her eight, first-half points. Her third basket in a 2-minute stretch put the Lions ahead 21-20.

Lindenwood increased its lead to 24-20 before Northwest finished the half, scoring five of the last seven points.

Northwest made just four of 15 from three-point range.

On the bright side, Northwest committed only three turnovers while forcing 12. It allowed the Bearcats to take 10 more shots in the first half.

Northwest will head to Missouri Western for a 1:30 p.m. game on Saturday against the Griffons. The first 100 Northwest students who show their Bearcat card at the Missouri Western ticket office will receive FREE admission to the game. Students arriving after the 100 tickets are given out can purchase tickets for $5 each.

— Northwest Sports Information —