A battle of the league’s top two men’s basketball teams saw Northwest Missouri State fall in a hard fought battle 60-50 to Central Missouri Saturday at the UCM Multipurpose Building.

The Bearcats, who had won two straight road games, fell to 13-5 on the season and 6-3 in the MIAA. Central Missouri improved to 14-3 and 8-1 in the conference to hold onto first place in the league and win its eighth straight over Northwest.

Both teams struggled offensively as it was nearly a five minute drought to close the game that eventually did the Bearcats in. Northwest lost junior post Dillon Starzl to injury just two minutes into the game as the offensive woes continued.

The Bearcats shot just 33 percent from the field, their lowest mark of the season, and were out rebounded 39-28. The woes hurt Northwest on the defensive glass too as the Mules converted on 20 second-chance points compared to the Bearcats’ nine.

Grant Cozad and DeAngelo Hailey each finished with 10 points to pace Northwest, as Cozad pulled in a team-high six rebounds.

Dominique Long had a game-high 13 points for UCM, while Matt Webb tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Northwest returns to Bearcat Arena Thursday to host MIAA newcomer Northeastern State (Okla.), as the RiverHawks stand half a game ahead of the Bearcats in second place. Tipoff from Maryville is set for 7:30 p.m. against Northeastern State.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

In what was a tale of two opposite halves, Northwest Missouri State’s upset bid of 16th-ranked Central Missouri fell just short in a 60-52 loss Saturday in women’s MIAA basketball action.

The Bearcats fell to 10-7 on the season and 4-5 in league play while Central Missouri improved to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA. Northwest dropped its second straight road game to end a stretch that saw the Bearcats play six of their last seven games away from Bearcat Arena.

After leading the entire first half the Bearcats fell cold in the second half shooting only 37 percent from the field compared to 52 percent in the first half. The cold streak hit the Bearcats at possibly the worst time, as Northwest was held scoreless over the final 5:25 of the game.

After taking a 14-0 lead to start the game the Bearcats held onto a slim 28-26 lead at halftime.

The Northwest lead was quickly erased as the Jennies got back-to-back three-pointers from BreAnna Lewis to start the half and take a 32-28 lead.

However the Bearcats never trailed by more than six and even regained the lead after an 8-0 run pushed Northwest ahead by two, 48-46 with 10:41 left in the game. A brief minute saw Northwest lead again with 7:26 left in the game before the Jennies pulled back ahead 52-50.

Ultimately it was struggles at the free-throw line and beyond the three-point arc that doomed the Bearcats. Northwest finished 2-for-10 from behind the three-point line and missed all five chances in the second half in addition to getting only a pair of free-throws from Monique Stevens in the final seven minutes of the game.

Annie Mathews continued her solid play for the Bearcats with her fifth double-double of the season adding 10 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out.

Maggie Marnin finished with a team-high 14 points in the loss.

UCM was led by BreAnna Lewis who finished with a game-high 23 points including knocking down five three-pointers.

Northwest returns to Bearcat Arena to close out January as they host Northeastern State (Okla.). Next Thursday’s game with the RiverHawks continues a tough stretch against six of the league’s top seven teams. Tipoff from Maryville is set for 5:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Tuesday night’s game was never in doubt as the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team ran-away from Southwest Baptist for a 70-51 victory at the Meyer Sports Center.

Northwest improved to 13-4 on the season and 6-2 in the MIAA to pull just a half a game behind league leading Central Missouri. SBU fell to 5-11 overall and 3-5 in league play as Northwest won in Bolivar for the first time since Dec. 9, 2006.

SBU gained their only lead of the night when Jayon’e Troutman’s dunk gave the purple Bearcats a 2-0 lead.

DeAngelo Hailey would answer with a three-pointer giving Northwest their first lead as Head Coach Ben McCollum’s group never looked back. It was also the first win in Bolivar for McCollum who will now lead his troops against Central Missouri Saturday – an arena McCollum has also never won at.

Northwest took a 36-24 lead into the intermission after shooting 50 percent from the field in the first half. The league’s top defensive team continued its outstanding effort as SBU managed to shoot only 33 percent from the field in the first half and 36 percent for the game.

Junior Dillon Starzl finished the night 6-of-8 from the field for a game-high 16 points and six rebounds. Alex Sullivan and Bryston Williams joined Starzl in double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

A hot start from behind the three-point line also benefited Northwest, as Sullivan finished 4-of-8 from behind the arc. It was also just the fifth time this season Northwest committed fewer than 10 turnovers, as the Bearcats scored 20 points off turnovers compared to SBU at only two.

Troutman led SBU with 12 points and five rebounds.

Northwest closes its three-game road swing Saturday at Central Missouri in what likely could be a battle for first place in the MIAA. The Bearcats will also be looking to snap a five-game losing streak to the Mules. Tipoff from the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg is set for 3:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team could not complete the comeback at Southwest Baptist Tuesday night as they fell 76-74 at the Meyer Sports Center.

The Bearcats were slow to start as they shot 48 percent from the field and were 2 for 10 from behind the arch. Alexis Boeh came off the bench to score eight points in the first half to lead Northwest in scoring.

Southwest Baptist came out shooting in the first half, at one point making four consecutive three pointers to go up 24-18. Jaquie Zelenka and Chasity Prince both ended the first half with 11 points.

Down by nine to start the second half the Bearcats did everything they could to get back in the game.  Northwest came within a point after an Ashleigh Nelson layup pulled Northwest within 62-61.

Southwest Baptist seemed to hit every key shot in the second half to retain the lead. Prince added 12 in the second half to lead her team with 23 points.

Ashleigh Nelson, Annie Mathews, Alexis Boeh and Monique Stevens ended the game in double figures in points. Nelson led the way with 18 points and was 3-5 from three point range. Stevens had a career high with 14 points and pulled down five rebounds and grabbed four steals.

The Bearcats move to 10-6 on the season and 4-4 in the MIAA and will head to Warrensburg, Mo. Saturday to take on Central Missouri in the final of three consecutive road games. Tipoff on Saturday is set for 1:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

After an inexplicable home loss to Lincoln University earlier in the week, Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team traveled to Central Oklahoma and came away with an impressive 71-57 victory Saturday evening at Hamilton Fieldhouse.

“We needed to build our confidence up and play with more energy,” said DeAngelo Hailey, who scored 23 points and made all 10 of his free throws. “We played with enthusiasm.

“We were very hungry. We lost two in a row. We had to play with more energy.”

The triumph lifted Northwest to 12-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAA. Central Oklahoma dropped to 6-10 and 4-4.

“That is a good team. They are really good,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “They are a tough match-up for everybody in conference. They beat Washburn here.

“We got back to our basics of defending and offensively, against the zone, we started to figure it out a little bit.”

For the Bearcats, it was as solid a win as you are going to get on the road in the MIAA.

Northwest started the second half with an 11-point lead and was never really threatened in the final 20 minutes.

One brief challenge by the Bronchos was quickly answered when center Dillon Starzl scored in the paint, was fouled and he made his free throw to give Northwest a 38-28 lead.

An encouraging sign for the Bearcats was the way they handled Central Oklahoma’s zone. Northwest was patient. They worked the ball inside and Hailey and Alex Sullivan made a few three pointers.

“We are going to keep practicing on the zone because they are going to keep throwing it at us,” Hailey said. “We need to compete.”

One of those three-pointers came midway through the second half. The shot by Sullivan put the Bearcats up 44-31.

The only time when the Bearcats appeared to be a bit rattled occurred after they took a 52-36 lead. Central Oklahoma went to a full court, trapping defense that produced a few turnovers.

The Bronchos closed to 52-40 but failed to take full advantage of Northwest miscues. Central Oklahoma missed four straight free throws during that stretch.

“When we turned it over, we sprinted back and didn’t hang our heads,” McCollum said.

Northwest regrouped. Two free throws by Hailey stopped the Bronchos’ little run. The Bearcats stayed comfortably ahead the rest of the way.

“Everybody had a part in this victory tonight,” said freshman Lyle Harris. “It was our best team win. Everybody played to the best of their ability. It was a team effort game.”

Northwest put together the type of first half needed to break a two-game losing streak.

After giving up the first basket of the game, the Bearcats wasted no time taking the lead on a 2-point field goal Bryston Williams that put Northwest ahead 3-2.

Hailey followed with a 5-foot floater in the lane. The best part about it was the basket got Hailey out of the mini shooting slump he was in.

Later in the first half when Northwest held a 15-14 lead, Hailey drained consecutive treys that extended the Bearcats’ lead to 21-14.

“I’ve been very confident in my shot. They tell me to keep shooting it,” Hailey said. “I kept shooting it. My teammates have faith in my shot.”

Northwest continued to play solid defense in the first half and went into halftime with a comfortable 31-20 lead.

It was not a perfect first half for the Bearcats, but it was better than average. Northwest shot 46 percent from the field and held the Bronchos to 26 percent shooting.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Early in the second half the game was starting to slip away from Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team.

Central Oklahoma wasn’t playing particularly well at the UCO Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon. Northwest was helping the Bronchos out with some careless turnovers and soft defense.

Northwest coach Mark Kellogg called a 30-second timeout and implored the Bearcats to compete and have strong fortitude on the road. The players got the message.

The Bearcats took care of the ball, played strong defense and attacked the boards. It was that tough mental approach the last 15 minutes that carried the Bearcats to a 65-55 win.

Keying the victory for Northwest was sophomore Maggie Marnin, who scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Sophomore Annie Mathews also had a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Junior Meridee Scott came off the bench and scored 11 points and several of her points came at important spots in the game.

It was the second win in a row and first conference road triumph for the Bearcats, who improved to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the MIAA.

“This was great,” Marnin said. “We are really excited about it. We just hope this trend keeps up.”

Even though the Bearcats faced a Central Oklahoma team that only has one conference win, they needed to play well in the second half.

The turnaround began when Northwest trailed 34-29.

“That was the point it could have gone one way or the other,” Kellogg said. “They were making a run. Are we going to squash it or get ready to fold?

“It was that teachable moment. We came right back from that run and that’s what you have to do.”

The Bearcats scored the next four points. Northwest went ahead 38-36 on a basket by Scott and never trailed again.

“We had some silly turnovers,” Marnin said. “We know we needed to put it together because we haven’t had many great road wins. We really wanted this one. We worked on really putting it together.”

Northwest, though, didn’t pull away until the final minute. The Bearcats led only 48-47 with about 7:16 left.

Marnin, who played well throughout, gave the Bearcats a bit of breathing room when she scored consecutive baskets, helping Northwest increase its lead to 52-47.

“It was very important to keep the lead,” Marnin said.

Northwest answered one final challenge when Central Oklahoma closed to 56-53. The Bearcats scored the next five points for a 61-53 lead with a minute left.

“That was probably the best second-half defense we have had all season,” Kellogg said. “We needed to buckle down on defense and we got out in transition. We are at our best when we can force them to one shot and we can get out and go. That was a big factor in the game.”

In a wild first half that saw Northwest score the first 10 points and eventually fall behind 17-14, the Bearcats managed to take a slim 27-26 lead into halftime.

“We always want to play the whole 40 minutes,” Marnin said. “We know if we get off to a good start, the whole 40 minutes will go a lot easier. We’ve been working on transition a lot and I think that helped.”

It was almost too easy the way Northwest scored in the opening minutes. The Bearcats pounded the ball inside to Marnin and Mathews and they laid-in baskets almost uncontested.

It was so easy that Central Oklahoma called two timeouts in the first 5 minutes. A blowout seemed inevitable.

But basketball is a game of runs and the Bronchos got on one, outscoring Northwest 17-4 over the 7 minutes.

Central Oklahoma shut down the inside game of Northwest and the three-point shots weren’t falling. The Bearcats missed their first seven three-point attempts.

Still, Northwest clawed back in front 20-19 on a basket by Scott. Over the next few possessions, the two teams traded leads.

Northwest put together one more spurt late in the first half and scored seven straight points for a 27-21 lead. Central Oklahoma answered by scoring the last five points in the first half.

The Bearcats, though, played great defense, holding Central Oklahoma to 21 percent shooting. Northwest committed 12 turnovers and that prevented a bigger lead.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Senior offensive lineman Rod Williams headlined a group of five Northwest Missouri State football players that were named to the Don Hansen All-America Team announced Friday.

Williams earned second team honors, as sophomore punter Kyle Goodburn was named to the third team. Three players also earned honorable mention acclaim with Collin DeBuysere, Travis Chappelear and Nate DeJong rounding out the Bearcats honored by Don Hansen Football Gazette.

With the award, Williams finishes his career at Northwest as a two-time All-America on the offensive line. The Kansas City native helped the Bearcats’ offense average 41 points per game in 2012 and over 50 points per game in 2011 to lead the nation.

Goodburn was one of the top punters in the nation finishing fourth at 44.2 yards per punt. The sophomore also led the MIAA in yards per punt and recorded 18 punts inside the 20-yard line.

DeJong and DeBuysere combined for 12 interceptions on the year as Northwest led NCAA Division II with 28. DeJong led the team with seven picks while DeBuysere was the second leading tackler with 74 and added a team-high nine tackles for a loss.

Chappelear was the third leading tackler for the Bearcats adding 8.0 tackles for a loss to one of the nation’s top defensive units. Northwest allowed 13 points per game the third best mark in NCAA Division II football during the 2012 season.

The Don Hansen Division II All-America Team carries out the legacy of longtime 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.

The Don Hansen Football Committee selected All-Super Region teams in December and early January, with the first-team and second-team All-Super Region players advancing to the national ballot.

A total of 175 players earned some form of Don Hansen All-America honors. Players from 83 of the 157 football-playing schools in Division II earned Don Hansen All-America accolades. National Champion Valdosta State and national semifinalist West Texas A&M led the way by placing eight players apiece on the All-America squad.

— NWMSU Sports Information —