MARYVILLE, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright and his staff have announced the additions of 47 signees and transfers to the Bearcat program.

Wright has inked 40 high school student-athletes and seven transfers in the 2019 class.

This year’s incoming recruiting class has student-athletes coming in from 10 different states. Missouri (18), Nebraska (9) and Kansas (8) lead the way from a geographic standpoint.

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES
Jaylon Bass – 6’1″, 170, CB, Jacksonville, Fla. (Bishop Kenny HS)
Varsity letterwinner … played defensive back at Bishop Kenny High school for head coach Bobby Raulerson … son of Jay and Tiffany Bass.

Brendon Bolden – 6’3″, 195, DB, Olathe, Kan. (Olathe West HS)
All-state pick for head coach T.J. O’Neill … enjoys working on cars … has a 3.50 GPA … son of Dante Bolden and Lori Williams.

Will Boswell – 6’1″, 205, LB, Mount Vernon, Mo. (Mount Vernon HS)
Missouri Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018 … USA Today first-team all-state linebacker in 2017 and 2018 for head coach Tom Cox … first-team all-state pick as a linebacker and running back in 2018 … all-Ozone player of the year as a senior … 2018 KODE player of the year … 2018 SWMFBCA defensive player of the year … 2017 Springfield Sports Commission player of the year … first-team all-region linebacker in 2017 … honorable mention all-state linebacker in 2016 … member of National Honor Society … academic all-state pick in football (2017) and baseball (2018) … son of Adam Boswell and Cassandra Boswell.

Brian Boyd – 6’2″, 205, LB, Trimble, Mo. (Smithville HS)
First-team all-state pick in 2018 … 810-AM varsity player of the year … 810-AM varsity linebacker of the year … KMZU defensive player of the year … Bobby Bell award finalist … set the school record of tackles in a season (187) for head coach Jason Ambroson … state champion wrestler in 2018 … 2016 all-America wrestler … two-time academic all-state pick … four-time academic letterwinner … son of Matt Boyd and Ronda Boyd.

Peyton Carder – 6’2″, 185, WR, Shawnee, Kan. (Shawnee Mission Northwest HS)
Second team all-league defensive back … selected as team MVP for head coach Bo Black … SMNW September Athlete of the Month … honor roll student … member of student council … son of Michelle Carder and Layne Carder.

Christopher Carlsen – 6’4″, 275, OL, Island Lake, Ill. (Wauconda Community HS)
All-area honoree … all-conference pick for head coach Dave Mills … also played basketball … powerlifter … son of Jenni Carlsen and Chris Carlsen.

Deonte Carroll – 6’2″, 190, DB, Lenexa, Kan. (Shawnee Mission East HS)
Led his prep squad with 45 receptions, 700 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns … played for head coach Justin Hoover in high school … three-year letterwinner … son of Makisha Polk and LerondPolk.

Keegan Clark – 6’0″, 270, OL, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha North HS)
Four-year varsity letterwinner after making the varsity squad as a freshman … played for Larry Martin in high school … honor roll student … son of Tom and Debi Clark … nephew of current Bearcat linebackers coach Chad Bostwick.

Grant Cooney – 6’6″, 240, DE, Tecumseh, Kan. (Topeka HS)
Two-time first-team all-city defensive honoree … all-city top 11 pick … first-team all-league selection … named to state of Kansas’s top 100 seniors chart … played for Walt Alexander … Topeka Invitational all-tournament team … all-academic … also played basketball … son of Tom and Kathy Cooney.

Malik Culp – 6’3″, 270, OL, Lebanon, Mo. (Lebanon HS)
Second-team all-state selection in 2018 … first-team all-conference, all-district and all-area as a senior … third-team all-state pick in 2017 … USA Today football honorable mention pick as a junior … first-team all-ozone for head coach Will Christian … enjoys lifting weights … son of Glenn Culp and Ty Culp.

Eli Dowis – 6’2″, 180, WR, Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)
Helped lead the Maryville Spoofhounds to a mark of 51-6 in high school for head coach Matt Webb … won a state title in 2017 … state runner-up in 2016 … state semifinalist in 2018 … three-time first-team all-MEC selection … second-team all-state defensive back in 2018 … first-team all-state running back in 2017 … four-time MEC champion … four-time district champion … two-time member of Maryville Daily Forum fall sports team … two-time St. Joseph News Press all-area football team … Wendy’s High School Heisman school winner … honor roll student … son of Amy Dowis.

Andrew Dumas – 6’0″, 217, LB, Olathe, Kan. (Olathe Northwest HS)
Three-year varsity starter … served as team captain for head coach Aaron Hafner … honorable mention all-state pick by Wichita Eagle and Capitol Journal in 2018 … second-team all-conference pick in 2018 … first-team all-Sunflower League selection at running back in 2017 … honorable mention all-state running back by Wichita Eagle in 2017 … earned an invitation to the 2019 Kansas Shrine Bowl … also played basketball … son of Ronald Dumas and Lynn Dumas.

Cole Elwood – 6’0″, 175, DB, Fenton, Mo. (Fox Senior HS)
First-team all-state defensive back for head coach Brent Tinker … second-team all-metro selection … 4.0 grade point average … son of Kristi and Chris Elwood.

Jake Fisher – 6’5″, 220, DE, Smithville, Mo. (Smithville HS)
810-AM varsity small class defensive lineman of the year … first-team all-state defensive end … first-team all-district at defensive end … first-team all-conference at defensive end and tight end for head coach Jason Ambroson … first-team all-conference and all-district player in basketball … son of Matt Fisher and Tracy Fisher.

Ben Freeman – 6’3″, 241, OL, Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley West HS)
Second-team all-league pick in 2018 … 2017 honorable mention all-conference for head coach Josh Koerkenmier … son of Charles and Lori Freeman.

Nathan Gray – 6’0″, 185, LB, Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty HS)
Second-team all-state linebacker for head coach Chad Frigon … first-team all-district at LB … first-team all-conference at LB … unanimous first-team all-conference selection at running back … all-Simone team at LB … academic all-state honoree … member of National Honor Society … plans to major in business management … son of Clayton Gray and Karla Gray.

Jacob Harmdierks – 6’4″, 220, TE, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS)
Three-year varsity letter for head coach Kirk Peterson … honorable mention all-metro pick in 2018 … two-year varsity starter … qualified for the state playoffs each year … ranked as a top three team in 2018 … two-year basketball letterwinner … 2017 academic all-state pick in basketball … son of Joni Harmdierks and Mike Harmdierks.

James Hayden – 6’2″, 180, K/P, Galesburg, Ill. (Galesburg HS)
Three-time all-conference performer for head coach Michael Washabaugh … son of Jeffrey and Teresa Hayden.

Durand Henderson – 6’0″, 180, RB, Webb City, Mo. (Webb City HS)
Class 4 first-team all-state selection … first-team all-region … COC Player of the year … first-team all-COC for head coach John Roderique … son of Durand Henderson Sr. and Kwana Johnson.

Maleek Hopper – 6’1″, 190, DB, St. Robert, Mo. (Waynesville HS)
First-team all-conference … named to the 2018 Central Missouri media all-district squad … earned a spot on the 2018 all-Class 5 District 5 team … played for head coach Joe Haynes … honor roll student … son of Maria Castillo and Stanley Hopper.

Tyler Houchin – 6’0″, 220, RB, Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)
Helped lead the Maryville Spoofhounds to a mark of 51-6 in high school for head coach Matt Webb … won a state title in 2017 … state runner-up in 2016 … state semifinalist in 2018 … first-team all-state running back in 2018 … second-team all-state RB in 2017 … two-time first-team all-district and all-conference pick … honorable mention all-MEC linebacker in 2016 … rushed 3,125 yards on 463 carries and did not fumble … honor roll student … son of Matt Houchin and Melanie Houchin.

Colden Imhoff – 5’11”, 190, LB, Jefferson City, Mo. (Helias HS)
Three-year varsity letterwinner for head coach Chris Hentges … all-state in track & field … also lettered in wrestling … academic all-state in track & field … Sader Scholar … FFA chapter president … member of the football leadership council … son of Chris Imhoff and Kristin Imhoff.

Rhett Jordon – 5’10”, 170, ATH, Waverly, Neb. (Waverly HS)
All-state and all-conference performer for head coach Tim William … member of National Honor Society … academic all-conference … academic all-state … son of D.J. and Britt Jordon.

Joseph Krause – 6’1″, 185, QB, Seward, Neb. (Seward HS)
All-Nebraska first-team … Class B first-team all-state … first-team all-district for head coach Jamie Opfer … academic all-state … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society … also competed in basketball and baseball … coaches youth sports … son of Jon and Jennifer Krause.

Zack Lawrence – 6’6″, 285, OL, Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton HS)
Honorable mention all-state honoree … all-area team pick … first-team all-conference selection for head coach John Damato … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society … son of Csaba Lawrence and Robbin Lawrence.

Akira Lindsey – 6’3″, 275, DL, Roseville, Ill. (Monmouth-Roseville HS)
Two-time all-conference pick on offensive and defensive lines … all-area pick … honorable mention all-state selection … also took part in track and basketball … honor roll student … son of Amber Johns and Justin Johns (step dad).

Brady Lorimor – 6’3″, 285, OL, Farragut, Iowa (Sidney HS)
First-team all-state pick … first-team all-western Iowa … two-time first-team all-district pick on the offensive line … second-team all-district selection on the defensive line … voted team captain for head coach Donnie Sears … honor roll student … participated in the Shrine Bowl … son of Brent Lorimor and Kathleen Lorimor.

Jakhai Mitchem – 5’10”, 200, RB, Gainesville, Fla. (F.W. Buchholz HS)
Rushed for more than 200 yards in a game … scored four rushing touchdowns in a game for head coach Mark Whittemore … WCJB News play of the week … member of National Honor Society … honor roll student … also played basketball … son of Shuanta McNeil and Jeremy Green.

Trevon Peak – 6’2″, 185, DB, Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS)
Honorable mention all-state pick … ranked as a top-five defensive back in the state for head coach Paul Limongi … also participated in track … son of Devon Peak and Tyreese Bass.

Keaton Ricke – 6’5″, 235, DE, Wichita, Kan. (Bishop Carroll Catholic HS)
First-team all-city pick in 2018 … all-city honorable mention in 2017 … all-state honorable mention honoree for head coach Dusty Trail … top 100 seniors honorable mention squad … son of David and Debbie Ricke.

Alex Roush – 6’0″, 170, QB, Kansas City, Missouri (Liberty HS)
Conference offensive player of the year … first-team all-district pick … unanimous first-team all-conference honoree … Preps KC player of the week … top-10 Simone Award finalist … team captain for head coach Chad Frigon … academic all-state … 4.0 GPA … 2018 MFCA Hands Team Award winner … son of John Roush and Jayme Roush.

Patrick Schaben – 6’0″, 275, OL, Seward, Neb. (Seward HS)
McCook Gazette first-team Class B all-state … Huskerland Class B first-team all-state pick for head coach Jamie Opher … Omaha World Herald Class B all-state selection … Lincoln Journal Star Class B all-state honoree … power lifter … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society … son of Pat Schaben and Tina Schaben.

Jordon Tate – 6’3″, 185, DB, Black Jack, Mo. (Hazelwood Central HS)
First-team all-conference at defensive back in 2018 … first-team all-conference wide receiver in 2017 … second-team all-conference at wide receiver in 2018 for head coach Carey Davis … son of Pamela Tate-Harris and Gary Harris (stepdad).

Isaac Telfer – 6’1″, 190, LB, Prairie City, Iowa (Prairie City-Monroe HS)
Captured a state title as a senior … played for head coach and former Bearcat Greg Bonnett … three-time all-district pick … four-year letterwinner … three-time academic all-district honoree … also played basketball and competed in track and field … son of Darrin and Ava Telfer.

Joseph Webb – 6’0″, 175, WR, Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill HS)
Three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for head coach and former Bearcat Josh Hood … second-team all-league pick … two-time honorable mention all-conference selection … honor roll student … National Society of High School Scholars inductee … son of Reginald and Yvette Webb.

Coleman Weber – 6’2″, 220, DE, Lawson, Mo. (Lawson HS)
All-conference and all-district pick … played defensive end and tight end for head coach Todd Dunn … son of Duff and Steph Weber.

Jake Winslow – 6’4″, 281, OL, Colona, Ill. (Geneseo HS)
Served as team captain for head coach Larry Johnsen … all-conference … all-western team … all-metro … two-time academic all-conference … member of National Honor Society … also played baseball … son of Kevin Winslow and Beth Winslow.

Jadyn Withrow – 6’0″, 230, OL, Joplin, Mo. (Joplin HS)
Three-year letterwinner … 2018 state semifinalist at Joplin High School for head coach Curtis Jasper … 2018 Class 6 District 3 champions … all-area honorable mention pick … third-team all-conference selection in 2017 and 2018 … 2017 Ozark Conference champions … two-time academic honorable mention all-conference honoree … took part in track and wrestling … honor roll student … son of Brad and Sarah Withrow.

Loren Woita – 6’1″, 201, LS, Omaha, Neb. (Westside HS)
Long snapper at Westside High School for head coach Brett Froendt … son of Olivia Woita.

Justin Wright – 5’11”, 210, TE/H, Lathrop, Mo. (Lathrop R-II HS)
First team all-state running back … two-time first-team all northwest Missouri running back … two-time first-team all-district pick … two-time first-team all-conference running back for head coach Chris Holt … honor roll student … son of Jeff and Sherry Wright.

TRANSFERS
Nick Clarke – 6’2″, 180, WR, Newnan, Ga. (Reedley CC)
Played in the Southwest All-Star bowl game … recipient of the Torch of Excellence award … son of Ornim Clarke and Latisha Stinson.

Kaden Davis – 6’1″, 190, WR, Ellsworth Kan. (Butler CC)
Earned junior college academic honors at Butler CC … all-state wide receiver and punter in high school … 2016 Catch It Kansas track athlete of the year … son of Ron and Dina Davis.

Imoni Donadelle – 5’11”, 185, WR, Youngstown, Ohio (West Hills CC)
Set the West Hills CC record for touchdowns in a season in 2018 … first-team all-conference national division west … second-team all-state pick out of Youngstown, Ohio, in high school … first-team all-conference pick … two-time state qualifier in track & field … regional 4×400 champion in 2015 … son of Tonja and Theton Donadelle.

Dawson Graham – 6’2″, 190, WR, Gothenburg, Neb. (East Mississippi CC)
Played college basketball at East Mississippi Community College in 2018-19 … dean’s list at EMCC … under the guidance of head coach Billy Begley at East Mississippi Community College, Graham played in 10 games (six starts at point guard) for the 2018-19 EMCC Lions prior to transferring during the semester break … he averaged 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and had 16 assists, 23 turnovers and nine steals … Graham shot 47.8% (22-46 FGs) from the field, 28.6% (4-14 3FGs) from three-point range and 55.6% (15-27 FTs) from the free throw line … his top scoring games were 11 points in wins over Mid-South Prep Academy and Meridian CC … Class C1 First Team All-State Selection by the Lincoln Journal Star (Athlete Position) … three-time all-district first-team selection … Nebraska Shrine Bowl pick … Gothenburg High’s all-time leader in career passing yards, career passing touchdowns and career passing completions … Gothenburg HS leader in season passing yards, season passing touchdowns, season passing completions … member of Gothenburg High’s career top-10 rushing list … two-time all-state in basketball …  Nebraska Mr. Basketball semifinalist two-time area player of the year honoree … three-time first-team all-conference pick owns 20 Gothenburg HS records (six in football, 14 in basketball) … son of Chris and April Graham.

Bailey Pickering – 6’2″, 210, LS, Lincoln, Neb. (Fort Scott CC)
Long snapper at Fort Scott Community College … physical education major … son of Bob and Theresa Pickering.

Justin Rankin – 5’10”, 215, RB, Oberlin, Ohio (Kent State Univ.)
Played three seasons at Kent State … rushed for 574 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions, 127 receiving yards and a touchdown in 2018 … rushed for 490 yards and three touchdowns, while catching 42 passes for 311 yards and two scores in 2017 … tallied 511 rushing yards and two touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 235 yards as a freshman in 2016 … three-time all-Ohio first-team selection at Elyria Catholic High School … scored 15 touchdowns as a senior and 13 scores as a junior … son of Mark and Dionne Rankin.

Zach Starforth – 6’5″, 300, OL, Peculiar, Mo. (Illinois State Univ.)
Redshirted in 2018 at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois … three-year letterwinner for head coach Tom Kruse at Raymore-Peculiar High School … named conference offensive lineman of the year as a senior, while earning first-team all-conference honors … team captain … first-team all-district pick and second-team all-state honoree in final prep season … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior … also earned second-team all-district plaudits that season … helped team to a basketball district title as a sophomore … honor roll student … son of Jason and Jennifer Starforth.

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team is ranked No. 1 in the nation in this week’s NABC Division II Top 25 Poll. It is the third straight season that Northwest has reached the No. 1 ranking in the nation.

Northwest is 21-0 and is the only remaining undefeated team in the country.

It marks the 18th time in school history that Northwest has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NABC poll.

Northwest was first ranked No. 1 on Jan. 13, 2004. The Bearcats were ranked No. 1 for nine weeks during the 2016-17 season, which saw Northwest finish 35-1 and capture the program’s first national title. Northwest was ranked No. 1 in the opening six weeks of the 2017-18 season.

The Bearcats will play a pair of road games this week with matchups at Lindenwood (Thurs., 7:30 p.m.) and at Lincoln (Sat., 3:30 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State senior Joey Witthus has been named the MIAA Men’s Basketball Player of the week for the second time this season after he averaged 32.0 points per game and 7.0 rebounds last week.

The Chanhassen, Minnesota, native shot 63.9 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from three-point range in leading Northwest to a pair of home MIAA victories.

Witthus went for a career-high 36 points in Northwest’s 111-83 win over Pittsburg State. Witthus buried 13-of-19 field goals, including 8-of-13 from three-point land vs. the Gorillas. Witthus grabbed four rebounds and handed out an assist vs. PSU.

Witthus tied his career-high with 10 rebounds and scored a game-high 28 points in Northwest’s 82-62 win over Missouri Southern. Witthus was 10-of-17 from the field and knocked in his only three-point attempt. Witthus also sank 7-of-8 free throws. He handed out two assists and secured two steals vs. the Lions.

Witthus leads the MIAA in three-point field goals made (69) and three-point field goal percentage (50.4). Witthus ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in scoring at 21.2 ppg. In MIAA games only, Witthus ranks No. 2 in the league at 23.7 ppg.

The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team (21-0 overall, 11-0 MIAA) will play a pair of road games this week with matchups at Lindenwood (Thurs., 7:30 p.m.) and Lincoln (Sat., 3:30 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat men’s basketball team improved to 21-0 on the year with an 82-62 triumph over the Missouri Southern State University Lions on Saturday at Bearcat Arena.

Northwest moves to 11-0 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern drops to 17-5 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA. Northwest holds a three-game lead in the MIAA standings over Lincoln (8-3) and Washburn (8-3).

The Bearcats turned a four-point halftime advantage into a 20-point win over the visiting Lions. Northwest shot 54.2 percent from the field, despite being limited to 4-of-13 shooting from three-point range. The Bearcats drained 14-of-15 free throws, while the Lions were 9-of-13 at the line.

Senior Joey Witthus teamed with a pair of freshmen to carry the offensive load for the Bearcats. Witthus tallied a game-high 28 points and grabbed 10 boards. Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins secured 24 points and handed out a team-high four assists. True freshman Diego Bernard netted 16 points and was 6-of-6 at the free throw line.

Missouri Southern was led in scoring by Elyjah Clark with 22 points. Clark knocked in four three-pointers.

The Lions leapt out to an 8-0 lead 81 seconds into the contest. Northwest head coach Ben McCollum took a timeout and the Bearcats responded with an 11-2 run to give the home squad an 11-10 lead with 13:57 left in the opening half. The first half featured three ties and nine lead changes. The Lions final lead of the game came at 26-25 on a three-pointer from Clark with 4:27 remaining in the first half. Following a 31-31 tie, Northwest scored the final four points of the half on layups from Hudgins and Witthus to give the Bearcats a 35-31 lead at the break.

Northwest pushed its lead to double figures at 51-41 on a layup from Hudgins with 13:53 left in the game. Missouri Southern would get no closer the rest of the way. The Bearcats would lead by as many as 23 after a pair of free throws from Witthus gave Northwest a 79-56 advantage with 2:39 remaining in the game.

The Bearcats will travel to Lindenwood on Thursday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. in St. Charles, Missouri.

NOTES: Northwest holds a 33-24 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri Southern … Missouri Southern had won the previous two contests between the two schools … Northwest extended the nation’s longest win streak to 21 in a row … the Bearcats are a perfect 11-0 at home this season … Northwest is 83-5 over its last 88 home games … Northwest has won 15 consecutive MIAA games dating back to last season … it is the second-longest active conference winning streak in the nation … Northwest is 73-7 in its last 80 MIAA contests – which includes a mark of 39-1 in Bearcat Arena … Northwest is off to its third-best start in school history.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball team fell to Missouri Southern 61-58 on a buzzer beater three-pointer by Chelsey Henry.

Northwest fell victim to poor shooting again shooting only 26.8 percent from the field.

The Bearcats were led in scoring by Jaelyn Haggard with 16. Mallory McConkey added 14 and Kaylani Maiava had 12. Mallory McConkey also had 18 rebounds, which is tied for eighth in school history. Northwest outrebounded Missouri Southern 39-36.

Missouri Southern was led in scoring by Chelsey Henry with 24. Chasidee Owens added 11 and Krista Clark scored 10. Jorda Schoenberger led the Lions in rebounds with six. The Lions shot 44 percent from the field.

Northwest will play again Thursday at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

FORT SMITH, Arkansas – The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat baseball team opened its 2019 season with a 3-2 loss at Arkansas-Fort Smith.

The Lions plated the winning run on hit batter with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth.

Northwest struck first with an unearned run in the top of the third. Redshirt freshman Jordan Peck led off the inning and reached on an error by UAFS shortstop Logan Easley. Senior Logan Rycraft sacrificed Peck to second. Following a popup by junior Calvin Rudolph, outfielder Derek Hussey singled to shortstop that allowed Peck to reach third. Peck would score on a wild pitch to give Northwest a 1-0 lead.

UAFS rallied with a two-run spot in the bottom of the fourth as the Lions tallied three hits and left two more runners on base.

Junior relief pitcher Ethan Griswold was called on with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Griswold induced a pop up to senior second baseman Mondesi Gutierrez to end the threat and keep the UAFS lead at 2-1.

The Bearcats evened the score at 2-2 in the top of the seventh. Peck singled to right to lead off the seventh. He moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Rudolph. Head coach Darin Loe inserted redshirtfreshman Jonathan Hernandez as a pinch runner for Peck. Hussey then singled to third and UAFS’s Brandan Warner’s throw was wild allowing Hernandez to cross home plate.

Griswold worked his third inning in the ninth. He got two of the first three batters out. Following a single by UAFS’s Tremarcus Koontz, Griswold was lifted for Bearcat closer Trevor Dudar. Dudar allowed a single to pinch hitter Cooper VanKooten that loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortunately for Dudar and the Bearcats, Dudar hit Logan Allen with a pitch that allowed the Lions to walk off a 3-2 victory in the season opener for both squads.

Northwest starter Quintin Van Ackeren struck out six batters as he went 4 1/3 innings. Van Ackeren allowed two earned runs off six hits and four walks.

Griswold took the loss despite tossing three innings and giving up only two hits and two walks while striking out a pair.

Hussey led the offense with a pair of singles

The Bearcats and Lions will take to the field tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

NOTES: The Northwest defense was clean with no errors, while UAFS committed five defensive miscues … UAFS outhit Northwest, 10-7 … Northwest drew three walks, while the Lions benefited from eight free passes.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat men’s basketball team rolled to its 20th win of the season with a 111-83 triumph over the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Thursday in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest’s was clicking on virtually all cylinders on the offensive end of floor. The Bearcats shot 55.6 percent from the field. Northwest drained 18-of-37 shots from three-point range and were a perfect 13-of-13 at the free throw line.

Senior Joey Witthus torched the Gorillas for a career-high 36 points, which included eight trifectas. Witthus was 13-of-19 from the field.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins collected a career-high 12 assists and scored 21 points. Hudgins went 8-of-13 from the field and knocked in both of his three-point shots. Hudgins notched his fourth double-double of the season and its the third time he’s had 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in a game.

Sophomore Ryan Hawkins snared a game-high 11 rebounds and contributed with 13 points. Hawkins has nine double-doubles on the year.

The contest was tied at 2-2 and then Northwest took off. The Bearcats quickly put together a 10-0 run to take a 12-2 lead with 16:54 left in the first half. The Gorillas was claw no closer than 10 points the rest of the game. Northwest opened up a 22-point bulge at 45-23 with 3:57 left in the half. Northwest would lead by as many as 25 points in the opening half.

Northwest’s lead would balloon to as many as 35 point the second half at 98-63 with 7:23 remaining in the contest.

The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday at home against the Missouri Southern. The Bearcats and Lions will tip at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Northwest has won 15 consecutive MIAA games dating back to the 2017-18 season … Northwest is 10-0 at home this season … the Bearcats are 72-7 in their last 79 MIAA games, including 38-1 in Bearcat Arena … Ryan Hawkins added three steals to up his MIAA-leading total to 50 on the year … Northwest’s 20-0 start ties it for the third-best start to a season in school history.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team lost to Pittsburg State 69-48 at Bearcat Arena Thursday. The Bearcats got off to a slow start and were never able to get into a rhythm against the Gorillas. They were held to 32.8% shooting from the field and 28.6% from behind the three-point line.

Jaelyn Haggard and Kendey Eaton led the Bearcats with 9 points. Mallory McConkey added 6 points and led the team with 9 rebounds. Northwest was able to take care of the ball well and won the turnover battle 13-14.

Pitt State was led in scoring by Maya Williams with 19. She was followed by Megan Scott who added 16 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Pitt State dominated the paint in the game, scoring 42 points in the paint and outrebounding Northwest 42-31.

Northwest will be back in action Saturday against Missouri Southern in Bearcat Arena at 1:30 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — The Don Hansen Football Committee has released the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America team. Northwest Missouri State University is represented by four selections on this year’s All-America listing.

Senior defensive end Austen Eskew earned third-team honors. Senior offensive lineman Zach Flott, senior defensive back Anthony Lane and sophomore defensive lineman Sam Roberts were all three named to the honorable mention squad.

The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen’s Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region squads in 2003.

— Northwest Athletics —

HAYS, Kansas – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team scored a 81-69 victory at Fort Hays State on Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Northwest’s victory improved the Bearcats to 19-0 on the season and a perfect 9-0 in MIAA play. Fort Hays State fell to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in league play.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins notched his first career 30-point game as he tallied 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor. Hudgins knocked in all seven of his free throw attempts, while dishing out a team-high six assists.

The Bearcats made their first five shots from three-point land and overcame an early five-point deficit. The 11-6 lead for Fort Hays State marked the largest deficit that Northwest had faced since being down five to Upper Iowa on Nov. 9. Northwest responded immediately with a 13-0 run to take a 19-11 lead in the opening half. Northwest held its largest lead of the first half at 30-20 with 7:22 remaining.

Senior Joey Witthus and Hudgins carried the offensive load in the first half as they combined to put up 35 points and equal the FHSU offensive input as Northwest held a 42-35 lead at the intermission. Witthus scored 19 first-half points, while Hudgins chipped in with 16. Witthus buried his first five three-point attempts in the contest.

Freshman Diego Bernard scored all 13 of his points in the final 8:07 of the game to help the Bearcats remain perfect on the road this season.

Witthus battled foul trouble in the second half and finished with 24 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor, including all six makes from three-point land.

Northwest will play host to Pittsburg State on Thursday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: It marks the eighth straight win for Northwest over FHSU in the all-time series … the Bearcats own a 15-10 lead in the all-time series vs. the Tigers … Northwest has won 14 consecutive MIAA contests dating back to last season … Northwest also extended its road win streak to 10 in a row … the Bearcats are 71-7 in their last 78 MIAA games.

— Northwest Athletics —