The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team operated like a well-oiled machine Saturday, as the Bearcats defeated Lincoln University, 65-53, for their fourth consecutive victory.

Ashleigh Nelson knocked home a three pointer to start the game for the Bearcats as they jumped out to an 11-3 lead. Northwest never relinquished the lead and kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the contest.

As a team, Northwest shot 47 percent from the floor while going 6-for-11 from behind the three point line. They continued to take advantage of free throws, hitting 83 percent from the line in the first half.

The Bearcats slowed their scoring pace down in the second half but still hit a season high nine three pointers in the game as they came away with a 12 point victory, 65-53.

Nelson tied a career high with six three pointers as she posted a game high 20 points with four assists and two rebounds.

Ariel Easton totaled 15 points with four assists while Annie Mathews finished with 10 points and led the team with nine rebounds.
The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team operated like a well-oiled machine Saturday, as the Bearcats defeated Lincoln University, 65-53, for their fourth consecutive victory.

Ashleigh Nelson knocked home a three pointer to start the game for the Bearcats as they jumped out to an 11-3 lead. Northwest never relinquished the lead and kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the contest.

As a team, Northwest shot 47 percent from the floor while going 6-for-11 from behind the three point line. They continued to take advantage of free throws, hitting 83 percent from the line in the first half.

The Bearcats slowed their scoring pace down in the second half but still hit a season high nine three pointers in the game as they came away with a 12 point victory, 65-53.

Nelson tied a career high with six three pointers as she posted a game high 20 points with four assists and two rebounds.

Ariel Easton totaled 15 points with four assists while Annie Mathews finished with 10 points and led the team with nine rebounds.

Seven Bearcats scored at least four points in the contest as the team improved its record to 9-12, 6-8 on the season. Northwest will carry its four game winning streak into Joplin, Mo. Wednesday against Missouri Southern, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.

— Northwest Sports Information —
Seven Bearcats scored at least four points in the contest as the team improved its record to 9-12, 6-8 on the season. Northwest will carry its four game winning streak into Joplin, Mo. Wednesday against Missouri Southern, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.

Northwest Missouri State head football coach Adam Dorrel announced the addition of 28 student-athletes to the 2014 Bearcat football roster on Wednesday.

Twenty eight individuals signed National Letters of Intent and two have accepted letters of admission to Northwest. The list includes 13 players from the state of Missouri, four from Nebraska, four from Florida, three from Illinois and two from Iowa.

“The strength of this year’s recruiting class is that it truly compliments our current roster,” Dorrel said. “Everyone we have signed today has bought into the fact that they will all play a major role in our future success. I’m very excited to have this group of student-athletes join our family this fall.”

The Bearcats won the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship, the fourth title in program history (1998, 1999, 2009). Dorrel, who completed his third season at the helm, was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year.

“A lot of thanks has to go to our coaching staff,” Dorrel explained. “I’ve charged them with the task of not only finding good football players but good all around individuals. It takes a tremendous amount of time to put together a recruiting class but we really compound that by asking our staff to really dial it up another level.”

The 2013 Bearcat football team not only found success on the field but also in the classroom. Eleven student-athletes hit a perfect 4.0 GPA and 78 members of the team had 3.0 GPAs or higher. The overall GPA of the team was a 2.91. This year’s recruiting class averaged a 21 on the ACT, had a combined GPA of 3.0 and 21 members of the class qualified for academic scholarships.

“We make no secret that our expectations for academics are extremely high for our players,” said Dorrel. “That is a big area that we focus on during recruiting. When we find a student-athlete that commits to academics, we have the resources here on campus to really help them succeed.

“One of our biggest advantages is the Talent Development Center (TDC) on campus. Dr. Alisha Francis, Ashley Pregeant and Kirk Skoglund and their staff deserve a lot of credit for the work they do not only with our student-athletes but for the entire campus. Our success rates speak for themselves. When we explain how we are going to help our student-athletes reach their academic goals and can walk them through case by case of how we are able to do that, it makes our jobs a lot easier.”

Dorrel pointed out the help that the football staff receives from the admissions office at Northwest every year cannot be understated.

“Sometimes for incoming students, especially student-athletes, making sure that everything is in order to attend college can be overwhelming,” Dorrel said. “Tamera Grow and the rest of the staff in admissions do such a great job in making sure all information is in a clear, easy to understand format so when parents have questions, we have answers right away.”

Dorrel also wanted to emphasize the importance of the support staff in athletics for not just the football team but for all the Northwest student-athletes.

“Having our compliance director Lori Hopkins available to us during the recruiting process is a great help,” Dorrel explained. “With Kelly Quinlin being able to explain our medical personnel and how we will take care of our student athletes along with Joe Quinlin walking them through our strength and conditioning programs, that combination really helps set us apart.”

The Bearcats will release details on spring practice and the 2014 Spring Game at a later date.

2014 Recruiting Class (Alphabetical)

Ben Althoff                             LB             6-1           210         Palmyra, Mo. (Palmyra HS)

·       Althoff earned all-state honors as a junior … was an all-conference performer … first-team all-district … second-team all-area … led Palmyra to the district championship game past two seasons … team advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013 … coached by Kevin Miles … parents are Joe and Brenda Althoff.

Shawn Bane Jr.                   WR          5-11        165         Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota HS)

·       Bane Jr. was a two-time all-state performer at Sarasota High School … named to the all-area team as a junior and again as a senior … caught 49 passes for 890 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013 after catching 57 passes for 1,129 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012 … played in the Blue/Grey National All-Star game … voted team captain and team MVP as a senior … named to the honor roll … voted team offensive MVP as a junior … coached by Ed Volz … parents are Gretta Saunders and Shawn Bane Sr.

Connor Besancenez        OL            6-4           275         St. Louis, Mo. (Mehlville HS)

·       Besancenez was a first-team All-Suburban West Conference performer … voted Offensive Lineman of the Year … coached by Kent Heinemann … parents are Todd and Kim Besancenez.

Emmai Brown                      LB             6-0           186         University City, Mo. (University City HS)

·       Brown was a team captain for University City High School … coached by Carl Reed … mother is Tiffany Brown.

Jacob Chapple                    TE             6-5           212         O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon Township HS)

·       Chapple was coached by Brandon Joggerst at O’Fallon Township High School … parents are Trevelle Chapple and Melody BoJang.

Austen Eskew                      TE             6-4           220         Lawson, Mo. (Lawson HS)

·       Eskew was a first-team all-state, first-team all-district and a first-team all-district performer as a senior … earned all-conference and all-district honors as a defensive end as a junior … holds school record for reception yards in a season (790) and single game reception yards (103) … also an accomplished wrestler … three-time conference champion at three different weight classes .. 2013 state champion at 195 lbs. … 2013 District Wrestler of the Year … holds school records for pins in a season (40), wins in a season (50) and career wins (150+) … coached by Todd Dunn … mother is Brandy Eskew.

Zach Flott                               OL            6-5           295         Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)

·       Flott lettered all four seasons at Ralston High School … named All-State Class B as a senior … earned all-metro honors … named Super-State and All-Nebraska on offense as a senior … lettered three years in basketball and track … earned academic honor roll … coached by Tyler Zahn … parents are Eric and Christy Flott.

Kenneth Harrell                 DE            6-3           205         St. Louis, Mo. (Vashon HS)

·       Harrel was a first-team all-conference performer as a senior … invited to the Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star game … second-team all-conference performer as a junior … named honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … coached by Reginald Ferguson … mother is Glenda Williams.

Mikey Henson                     WR          6-2           190         Blue Valley, Kan. (Blue Valley HS)

·       Henson was a first-team All-EKL performer and earned all-state honorable mention accolades as a senior, leading the Tigers to a Kansas state championship … second-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior … led team in receiving as a junior and as a senior … lettered in basketball and track … qualified for state track in the high jump, long jump and triple jump … coached by Eric Driskell … parents are Mike and Faye Henson.

Najeem Hosein                  DB            6-1           175         Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge HS)

·       Hosein was a team captain and a three-year starter at Oak Ridge High School … named first-team all-metro as a senior … named All-Osceola County as a junior … coached by Elijah Williams … parents are Latiff and Derika Hosein.

Devin Houston                    LB             6-2           216         Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS)

·       Houston was a first-team all-conference performer at Liberty High School … earned second-team all-state honors … was the co-defensive player of the year … coached by Chad Frigon … parents are Toni and Fieldon Houston.

Emanuel Jones                   RB            5-11        200         Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein HS)

·       Jones was named Chicago Area MVP by the Daily Herald … was an all-state honorable mention … coached by George Kaider … parents are Vince and Dietra Jones.

Trey Kothe                             OL            6-7           260         Macon, Mo. (Macon Senior HS)

·       Kothe was a three-sport athlete at Macon Senior High School … first-team all-conference, first-team all-district performer as a senior … earned second-team all-district honors as a junior … was an all-conference center in 2012 … named all-district in 2012 in the shot put … earned all-conference honors in the discus in 2013 and was a state qualifier … coached by Pete Claas … parents are Paul and Marcia Kothe.

Cody Massey                        WR          6-3           175         St. Joseph, Mo. (Lafayette HS)

·       Massey was a two-year all-city performer at Lafayette High School … named all-conference and all-district … coached by Paul Woolard … parents are Mike and Tracy Massey.

Jackson Morrison             OL            6-3           298         Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)

·       Morrison led Maryville High School to two consecutive state championships … three-time all-state honoree … three-time all-conference on offense and two-timeall-conference on defense … earned honors twice from the St. Joseph News Press … three-time all-district performer … coached by Matt Webb … parents are Kirby and Angela Morrison.

Brent Morrow                      DL            6-2           282         St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue Horton Watkins HS)

·       Morrow was a first-team all-state performer as a senior after earning second-team honors as a junior and third-team honors as a sophomore … three-time all-conference performer … named conference lineman of the year three times … named first-team all-metro after earning second-team honors during junior and sophomore seasons … named team captain and team MVP as a senior … named in Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report 2013 … participant in the NFL sponsored Team USA in Arlington, Texas (Feb. 7, 2014) … named to the Detetrious Johnson All-America team as a junior … coached by Mike Tarpey … parents are Larisa Hairston and Jesse Morrow.

Trent Nally                             DB            6-3           190         Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)

·       Nally led Maryville High School to two consecutive state championships … Class three Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … first-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a junior and as a senior … earned honorable mentionall-conference honors as a sophomore … coached by Matt Webb … parents are Chris and Amy Nally.

Ben Norgaard                      OL            6-4           320         Carroll, Iowa (Carroll HS)

·       Norgaard was a first-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team All-Western Iowa as a senior … named team captain … earned second-team All-Western Iowa and honorable mention all-district honors … coached by Dennis McCartan … parents are Jay and Sue Norgaard.

Kory Poelker                         DL            6-3           240         O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon Township HS)

·       Poelker was a second-team all-conference performer at O’Fallon Township High School … named all-area honorable mention … coached by Brandon Joggerst … parents are Randy and Kelly Poelker.

Hunter Ramirez                  WR          6-2           205         Grain Valley, Mo. (Grain Valley HS)

·       Ramirez was a first-team all-conference performer as a wide receiver and as a punter during his junior and senior seasons … named first-team all-district as a wide receiver and punter as a junior … first-team all-district and third-team all-state as a senior … won the Erick Roe (Top WR) Elite 81 award … named team MVP … Otis Taylor Award semifinalist (best KC area wide receiver) … two-time KMZU Dream Team … coached by Jimmy Tucker … parents are Ray and Stacie Ramirez.

Ernest Scott                          DB            6-0           180         Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge HS)

·       Scott earned honorable mentions from the Orlando Sentinel Super 60 … was the MVP of the Bright House Sports televised game … also a standout in track, earning the Early Trawick Newcomer award … coached by Elijah Williams … parents are Ernest and Brenda Scott.

Mike Sehl                                DL            6-3           220         Iowa City, Iowa (Regina HS)

·       Sehl was a first-team all-state and a first-team all-district performer at Regina High School … earned second-team all-state honors from the Des Moines Register … coached by Marv Cook … parents are George andKara Sehl.

Marcus Stewart Jr.           DL            6-2           240         Maryland Heights, Mo. (Pattonville Senior HS)

·       Stewart was a second-team all-state performer for Pattonville Senior High School … earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-district honors … coached by Steve Smith … parents are Marcus and Betty Stewart.

Noah Voss                              WR          6-3           195         Fremont, Neb. (Fremont Senior HS)

·       Voss was an all-conference performer at Fremont Senior High School … named honorable mention all-state from the Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Fremont Tribune … team captain as a senior … led team in receiving yards as a junior and as a senior … coached by Seth McClain … parents are Mark and Shawna Voss.

Chase White                        RB            6-0           195         Maize, Kan. (Maize HS)

·       White was named all-state Kansas 6A as a senior … first-team all-league … earned all-metro honors … coached by Gary Guzman … parents are Kenny White and Lisa Hanson.

Alex Wickert                         OL            6-3           270         Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)

·       Wickert was a Class B All-state performer on the offensive and defensive lines as asenior … named to the honor roll all four years … coached by Tyler Zahn … parents are Robert and Molly Wickert.

Quinza Witcher                  DB            5-10        180         Neptune Beach, Fla. (Duncan U. Fletcher HS)

·       Witcher was named an impact player at Duncan U. Fletcher High School … earned player of the week honors as a senior … coached by Josh Corey … mother is Nisa’a Knight.

Tom Young                             OL            6-3           290         Omaha, Neb. (Westside HS)

·       Young was an all-state performer at Westside High School … named Super State as a senior … earned first-team all-metro, all-conference and all-district honors … coached by Brett Froendt … parents are Harold and Beth Young.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to eight games with a 92-59 victory over Lincoln University on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. Northwest had five players reach double figures to improve to 16-5 overall and 11-1 in MIAA play. Lincoln drops to 2-18 overall and 0-12 in conference action.

Grant Cozad came off the bench to score a team-high 16 points with six rebounds. Conner Crooker scored 15 points and Dillon Starzl added 13 points with seven rebounds. Zach Schneider hit three three-pointers to finish with 12 points and seven rebounds. Bryston Williams had four steals to go along with 10 points.

As a team, Northwest shot 60.7 percent from the field, going 34-for-56, including 10 makes from beyond the arc. The Bearcats also outrebounded the Blue Lions, 43-17, and had 17-second chance points.

Lincoln held an early 9-8 advantage on the Bearcats with 17:07 left in the first half. But Northwest would never trail for the rest of the contest, building an 11 point halftime lead, 41-30. In the second half, Lincoln would pull to within eight points at 48-40 with 15:31 left in the game. But the Bearcats would go on an 18-5 run to secure the win. Northwest’s largest lead of 33 points came on the final basket of play on a layup from Jordan Ashton.

Up next, Northwest will host Missouri Western on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team made it back to back MIAA victories on Saturday as they defeated Lincoln University 55-47.

The first half saw four lead changes, but the difference came from the Northwest bench. The Bearcats outscored the Blue Tigers 7 to 1 off the bench as they went into halftime with a 31-27 lead.

Ariel Easton had a solid first half going 4 for 4 from three point land and pulling down five rebounds.

Northwest came out in the second half ready to go on defense as they held Lincoln to shooting only 24 percent from the floor.

Shelby Mustain made her presence felt as she tallied six blocks in the game. It was the most blocked shots since Gentry Dietz had six in 2009.

Easton finished the contest with a game high 22 points as she helped guide her team to a 55-47 victory.

Tember Schechinger also finished in double-digits as she added 10 points with three rebounds to go along with three steals.
The Bearcats (7-12, 4-8) will put their two game winning streak up against Missouri Western (9-10, 4-8) at Bearcat Arena Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm. It will be the annual Pink Out game for Northwest, supporting breast cancer awareness and research.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team put in a workmanlike effort in its 63-61 victory over Lindenwood Thursday evening at Hyland Arena.

“This was a grind-it-out game,” said Northwest forward Grant Cozad. “We knew we were going to get Lindenwood’s best shot. They have been playing well.

“On the road like this, we love it. We knew it was going to be a dogfight. That is what we like.”

While lacking the heart stopping theatrics of their buzzer-beating victory over Missouri Southern last week, the outcome was every bit as impressive for the Bearcats.

To win a conference championship, a team needs to pull out gritty road wins. That is what Northwest did against a Lindenwood team that was playing with pride. For much of the game, the Lions didn’t look like a team with a losing overall record and only three wins in 11 conference games.

“This was a great victory,” said DeShaun Cooper, who finished with a game-high 18 points. “When you come into an environment like this and get a victory, it is great.

“They had a great game plan. They were holding the ball and when they got offensive board, they did it again. They wasted as much time as they possible could. This is a great win. I’m proud.”

Lindenwood forced the Bearcats to make some plays and hit some free throws in the final 2 minutes to snatch a road win.

Because the Bearcats made five of six free throws in the final 15 seconds, they improved to 15-5 overall and 10-1 in the MIAA.

Northwest only has a day to rest before it hits the hardwood again on Saturday at home against Lincoln. A year ago, Lincoln came into Bearcat Arena and shocked the Bearcats.

“We will be ready,” Cozad said. “Lincoln got us last time at home. We need to be ready because they will be ready for us. We got to come out and play our best.”

Northwest played well in the final 10 minutes against Lindenwood.

There were eight lead changes in the second half. The Bearcats took the lead for good at 46-45 on an inside basket by Dillon Starzl with 9 minutes left.

“We needed to get a stop,” Cooper said. “We weren’t getting any stops in the first half. We pride ourselves on defense and we were letting their offense overtake our defense. We had to lockdown on defense.”

The Bearcats extended their lead to 54-48 and seemed to have gained control of the game. A free throw by Cooper with 2:07 left helped Northwest maintain its six-point lead at 57-51.

Lindenwood made one more push and closed to 57-56. Cooper made three of four free throws that gave Northwest a slight cushion at 60-56. The Lions followed with a basket. Bryston Williams made two more free throws. Lindenwood responded with a three-pointer with 4 seconds left.

With a 1-point lead, Cozad made the first of two free throws. The Lions still had a chance, but a three-point attempt by Garrett Reeg clanked off the side of the iron at the buzzer, allowing Northwest to win another nail biter.

“Coop came up with some real clutch free throws and so did Bryston towards the end,” Cozad said. “Those were key for us keeping that lead.”

Northwest probably felt good going into halftime trailing 28-27. It could have been worse.

The Lions put together a spurt near the end of the first half and turned an 18-18 tie into a 26-18 advantage.

At that point, the Bearcats played some of their best basketball of the half. It started with a three-pointer from Zach Schneider followed by an inside bucket from Cooper and another scoring drive from Williams.

Lindenwood scored once more to make it 28-25 and then Northwest had its most impressive stretch. On three different occasions, the Bearcats grabbed the offensive rebound. The final one resulted in a 7-foot jumper by Conner Crooker with 1 second left before halftime.

For the most part, it was a struggle for the Bearcats in the first half. They shot 41 percent from the field while allowing Lindenwood to make half its shots.

“We played all right in the first half and turned it up in the second half,” Cozad said. “We battled through it and came out with a victory.”

— Northwest Sports Information —

As well as Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team shot the ball, it was the defensive intensity and passion the Bearcats played with throughout that was most impressive.

The Bearcats never trailed in beating Lindenwood 70-59 Thursday evening at Hyland Arena in game they absolutely needed.

The victory lifted Northwest to 6-12 overall and 3-8 in the MIAA.

In resounding fashion, the Bearcats proved they no longer resemble the team that lost 80-74 at home to Missouri Southern a little over a week ago.

“I have to give a little props to this team because after the Missouri Southern loss, they got together in the locker room,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “They knew how much they let down in that game. Honestly, we have had great practices since then. I felt like our energy and focus the last few days of practice has been the best it has been all year.

“I told our kids that we have nine games left and that is it. You are going to miss this. You need to enjoy each other and the opportunity to put on this uniform for at least nine more games. I felt like we played as a team tonight. People contributed in different ways.”

Northwest wants to carry this momentum into its next game when it returns to action 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Lincoln at Bearcat Arena.

After playing a solid first half against Lindenwood, it was important for Northwest to show it could put together two strong halves. The Bearcats did exactly that, getting baskets from Annie Mathews and Ashleigh Nelson at the start of the second half that boosted Northwest’s lead to 42-32.

“A lot of us are sick of losing,” said Stevens, who finished with 15 points. “It is really hard on you. Coming out here and getting a road win and everybody contributing was really big for us.

“It should show everybody in the MIAA that we can compete when everyone is a part of it.”

Northwest maintained a double-digit lead through most of the second half. When Lindenwood closed to 46-38, sophomore Tember Schechinger drilled a three-pointer, giving the Bearcats a 51-38.

“This victory feels awesome,” said Schechinger, who scored 14 points. “It gives us that feeling that we are going to finish strong.”

Schechinger played aggressive the entire game. She looked for her shot, took it and made it.

It was a complete team effort by the Bearcats. Every player who stepped on the court contributed in a positive way. Mathews pulled down 10 rebounds, Nelson scored 16 points and Ariel Easton had a couple of key drives to the basket in the first half.

Every player made at least on significant play, including freshman forward Ashley Guenther, who came off the bench and hit 15-foot jumper that gave Northwest a 32-21 lead.

“It was all about keeping the energy the whole time,” Schechinger said. “We are just working as a team. It feels really good that we are all coming together.”

In the last 10 minutes, the game was never in doubt. The Bearcats built a 65-48 lead with under 5 minutes left.

Northwest was able to maintain its double-digit lead because the Bearcats hit their free throws down the stretch. Stevens led the way.

“Free throws were the dagger at the Missouri Southern game,” Smith said. “We go 26 for 31 from the free throw line tonight, and Monique Stevens went 9 for 9.

“We got some big stops when we needed them. Our team made adjustment at halftime how to defend their leading scorer and they listened.”

Northwest played one of its best half in conference play and went into halftime with a 38-32 lead. It could have been more if Lindenwood didn’t finish the first half making three, 3-pointers.

From the start, the Bearcats came out with energy. It helped that Nelson drained the first basket of the game, a 3-pointer. Easton followed with a basket, giving Northwest a quick 5-0 lead.

The Bearcats never trailed, and when they were challenged, they responded. The first came when Lindenwood tied the game at 7-7 and 10-10. Each time Northwest went back in front with a three-pointer.

Northwest put together a nice stretch when it expanded its lead from 15-12 to 24-14. Schechinger gave the Bearcats a 10-point lead when she drained a three-pointer, got a steal near midcourt and raced down the court for a layup.

The Bearcats twice held 11-point leads. The last one came at 34-23 on a basket by Mathews.

Aside from giving up the 3-pointers in the final couple of minutes in the first half, the Bearcats excelled at both ends of the court. They shot 52 percent from the field while holding Lindenwood to 42 percent. Northwest also held the rebounding edge 18-14.

“In our warm ups, we had lots of energy and that just carried into the game,” Stevens said.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State junior Matt Longacre was named the D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Year and Adam Dorrel was named the Coach of the Year by D2Football.com in a release today. Longacre and cornerback Brandon Dixon both earned first-team All-America honors. Cornerback Brian Dixon wastabbed on the second team and linebacker DJ Gnader earned third team honors.

The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches, scouts, media members, and sports information directors from around the country.

D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball senior guard DeShaun Cooper was named the MIAA Athlete of the Week, in a release from the conference office on Monday. The award is the first for Cooper in his career for the Bearcats.

In a battle between two of the top teams in the MIAA, Cooper responded with a career-best 32-point performance, including the game-winning jump shot with 3.3 secondsleft to give Northwest a 79-78 victory over Missouri Southern on Jan. 22. Cooper played 38 minutes, hitting five three pointers and going 9-for-10 from the charity stripe.

On the year, Cooper is averaging 15.0 points per game and has a team-best 17.7 scoring average in MIAA games. He has made a team-high 40 three pointers and is averaging 4.5 assists per contest. For his career, Cooper has scored 1,409 points, ranking seventh all-time in Northwest history.

The Bearcats will head to Lindenwood on Thursday, Jan. 30, to take on the Lions at Hyland Arena starting at 7:30 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —