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Category: Northwest Missouri State

Bearcats survive in double OT at Truman

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It was a total team effort that included two extra periods Wednesday night as the 14th-ranked Bearcats survived Truman State 94-87 on the road in MIAA action from Pershing Arena.

Northwest, who is in search of its first MIAA regular season title since 2007, got one step closer as they improved to 20-3 on the year and 14-3 in league play. The Bulldogs fell to 7-18 overall and 4-13 in the MIAA as they continue to battle for the eighth and final spot in the MIAA tournament.

Each period saw a different Bearcat step-up as they claimed their first 20 season since 2006-07.

Senior Kyle Haake scored early and often in overtime, including draining a big three-pointer and hitting two clutch free throws in the second overtime to seal the win.

DeAngelo Hailey knocked down big shots in the first overtime period while Justin Clark guarded the Bulldogs hottest shooter, Tom Norton. Norton scorched the Bearcats for 34 points going 8-of-12 from behind the three-point line hitting back-to-back 40-footers to force the extra periods.

Junior DeShaun Cooper scored a team high 22 points before fouling out to help send the Bearcats into the first overtime period after trailing almost the entire second half.

Omaha native Jake Reinders shared team high honors with Cooper scoring 22 points and shattering his previous career high grabbing 21 rebounds. Reinders’ 21 boards were just two shy of a Northwest single-game record.

The Bulldogs would take a 29-27 lead into halftime after Northwest fought hard to pull within two points at the break. TSU shot lights out the entire game, but gave the Bearcats all they could handle in the second half shooting blistering 52 percent including six three-pointers.

TSU would go on to make 13 three-pointers in the game, eight of which came from Norton.

However, the top free throw shooting team in the MIAA stepped up to the challenge. Northwest shot 82 percent from the line as a team going 32-of-39 including 16-of-17 in the second half to send the game to overtime and 10-of-12 in the extra period.

The Bearcats out-rebounded the Bulldogs by a 50-30 margin after struggling last week on the boards.

The win also marks Head Coach Ben McCollum’s first win at Truman in his three-years at the helm.

Northwest continues its search of the regular season title as they host Central Missouri on Saturday. The Bearcats and Mules tipoff from Bearcat Arena at 3:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest women lose big at Truman State

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Coming off an emotional overtime win the Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball desperately needed a win to keep hopes of a third consecutive MIAA tournament appearance alive, however, Truman State Bulldogs dealt the Bearcats a 79-52 loss Wednesday night.

The Bearcats fell to 5-20 on the year and 3-14 in league play while the Bulldogs improved to 14-9 overall and 8-9 in the MIAA. The Bearcats fall to TSU, who debut at No. 4 in the first South Central Region Rankings, will return home Saturday to try and avenge a road loss to Central Missouri.

Shelly Martin would score the game’s first points with a mid-range jumper, but the Bearcat lead would be short lived. Truman State would go on to score the next seven points, building a 7-2 lead and never look back.

The Bulldogs took a 36-23 lead into the locker room at halftime and shot nearly 50 percent in the second half to close out the 27-point win.

Northwest struggled offensively going 0-for-10 from behind the three-point line and only shooting 28 percent from the field as a team.

Senior Abby Henry scored a game high 16 points in the loss while Alexis Boeh chipped in 13 points off the bench.

Breanna Daniels shared game high honors with Henry adding 16 points of her own.

With losses from Missouri Western and Missouri Southern, the loss by Northwest does not mathematically eliminate them from the postseason play as they remain one game back of the eighth and final spot.

With the win Truman State clinched its ticket to Kansas City earning what could likely be the fifth seed.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State soccer adds eight for 2012

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Northwest Missouri State women’s soccer coach Tracy Hoza Friday announced the signing of seven high school athletes and one junior college transfer to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season.

Kiersten Mottl is the lone junior college transfer coming from Lewis & Clark College which was the 6th-ranked team in the nation last season.

Joining Mottl will be six freshmen, Katy Lindsey from Park Hill South (Kansas City, Mo.), Elisabeth Lee from Millard South (Omaha, Neb.), Jill Kieffer from Lincoln Southwest (Lincoln, Neb.), Chelsea Fournier (Kansas City, Mo.), Crys McElhose of Sioux City East High School (Sioux City, Iowa), Anna Holden from Harrisonville, Mo. and Nicole Mitchell from St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kan.).

Below is more information about the eight players signed by the Bearcats:

• Kiersten Mottl (St. Louis, Mo.) – Midfield
Previous School: Lewis & Clark College  Head Coach: Tim Rooney
High School: Incarnate Word Academy  Head Coach: Annie Beekman
Parents: Steve and Rebecca Mottl
Lewis & Clark: Mottl was a two-time First-Team NSCAA All-America pick during her two seasons at Lewis & Clark under Tim Rooney. In 2011 she was ranked in the top 30 in junior college for scoring as she was also named NJCAA All-America, all-Region and all-Conference during her freshman and sophomore seasons.
High School: As prep at Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis starting every game at defender helping the Red Knights capture a Missouri State Championship in 2009. She played for Annie Beekman at Incarnate Word. Mottl played club soccer for Shattuck – St. Mary’s earning US Club National runner-up finish in 2007 and 2008.

• Nicole Mitchell (Lenexa, Kan.) – Defender
High School: St. James Academy   Head Coach: Rick Enna
Parents: Michelle and Riley Mitchell
High School: Mitchell has been a four-year varsity defender for Head Coach Rick Enna earning 2011 All-State accolades. As a freshman she helped lead her team to a Kansas High School State Title. She played club at KCFC Alliance for KC Friendlies helping guide her team to two tournament championships and three runner-up finishes since 2007. She is currently a member of Kansas Rush club team.

• Anna Holden (Harrisonville, Mo.) – Forward
High School: Harrisonville HS   Head Coach: Dan Coleman
Parents: Lance and Laura Holden
High School: Holden has been a First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-District and All-Region selection three consecutive years. She was also named First-Team All-State while being named Region Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and earned Second-Team All-State accolades her sophomore season under Head Coach Dan Coleman. Holden was also nominated for All-America honors her junior year and is currently the school record holder for goals in a game, goals in a season, and goals in a career at Harrisonville High.

• Crys McElhose (Sioux City, Iowa) – Midfield
High School: Sioux City East HS   Head Coach: Ashley Hugel
Parents: Theo and Robert McElhose
High School: McElhose was a three-year varsity starter and has been a two-year captain as midfielder for the Black Raiders. She was a two-time all-Conference selection and scored an exciting game winning goal in the regional championship to send Sioux City East to the state tournament under Head Coach Ashley Hage. She was also a two-time all-Conference runner in cross country and an individual state qualifier as a junior. Played club for Gateway City and Coaches Shane Tymkowicz and Gabe Wortman.

• Jill Kieffer (Lincoln, Neb.) – Defender
High School: Lincoln Southwest HS   Head Coach: Dan Sharp
Parents: Scott and Amy Kieffer
High School: Kieffer helped lead the Silver Hawks to a City Championship in 2011 and a Nebraska State Semifinal finish. She was named all-Conference and was tabbed Honorable Mention to the all-Omaha World Herald Team and earned Academic All-State accolades. Kieffer was a two-time Nebraska State Cup Champion in 2011 and 2012 for her club team, Toro Bravo. Toro Bravo was one of the best female teams in the country and was the 2011 Midwest Regional Champs for Coach Marcus Kelcher. They also finished the year ranked No. 2 in the nation.

• Elisabeth Lee (Omaha, Neb.) – Defender
High School: Millard South HS   Head Coach:
Parents: John and Margaret Lee
High School: Entering her senior season Lee has been a three-year letter winner and starter at defender. She is a two-time Honorable Mention Nebraska All-State selection as team captain at Millard South. Played her club soccer for Omaha Elite and Coach Becky Sanow and is a two-time Nebraska State runner-up.

• Katy Lindsey (Kansas City, Mo.) Defender
High School: Park Hill HS   Head Coach: Joe Toigo
Parents: Darryl and Lisa Lindsey
High School: Lindsey has been a four-year letter winner and starter at midfield for Coach Joe Toigo. She helped lead the Panthers to a conference championship in 2009 and 2011 and a District Championship during the 2011 season. She was also a Second-Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore and junior. She also earned all-conference honors in cross country and was a sectional qualifier. Lindsey has also been the starting midfielder on her club team at Kansas City United Soccer for Coach Rich Wolf and was back-to-back runner-up at the State Cup.

• Chelsea Fournier (Kansas City, Mo.)
High School: Raytown HS   Head Coach: Roger Burris and Megan Evans
Parents: Greg and Kari Fournier
High School: Fournier was a three-year starter for the Bluejays helping lead Raytown to a conference championship in 2009. She was a second-team all-conference selection as a junior for Coach Roger Burris and Megan Evans. Played club with the Futura Force and Coach Mike Mantlo, reaching the Missouri State Cup semifinals the last two seasons. She was also a three-year starter on the softball diamond earning all-conference accolades as a sophomore and junior. Fournier has also been on the honor roll all four years at Raytown and a member of student council.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State softball postponed again

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Due to a winter storm that passed through Springfield, Mo., early Monday morning the Northwest Missouri State softball team’s season opener at Drury University has been postponed while no make-up date has been set at this time.

The Bearcats and Panthers were originally slated to open their season on Saturday, but cold winter weather pushed the games to Tuesday. If no make-up date is set before this weekend the Bearcats would open their season in Oklahoma at the Southwestern Oklahoma State Triangular in Weatherford, Okla.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest men’s tennis opens season with victory

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The Northwest Missouri State men’s tennis team held off the 14th-ranked team in NAIA Lindsey Wilson taking a season opening 5-4 victory on Saturday.

The Bearcats held off one of the top teams in NAIA as the Blue Raiders staged a valiant comeback in singles after Northwest took a 3-0 lead following doubles action.

In the top doubles match, Mario Jakovljevic and Jose Ortega used an 8-5 win over Lindsey Wilson’s Pablo Vilches and Gilles Cornelis to give the Bearcats the early 1-0 lead.

The duo of Guilherme Narducci and Rafael Bugiga — who are ranked fourth in the south central region — doubled the Bearcat lead to 2-0 with a hard-fought 9-7 win over Fabricio Morales and Marlon Dal Pont at No. 2 doubles.

Northwest completed the doubles sweep as Calvin Patterson and Luis Altimires outlasted Fernando Bogajo and Victor Saez 9-8.

Lindsey Wilson picked up its first point as Saez took a 6-1, 7-5 victory in No. 4 singles. However, Jakovljevic would push the Bearcat lead to 3-1 after beating Morales 6-3, 7-5 at No. 2 singles.

The Blue Raiders then began a gallant comeback with three straight singles wins to tie the match at 4-4.

Vilches beat Narducci 7-5, 7-5 in the No. 3 singles match and top-seeded Bogajo defeated Patterson 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Dal Pont tied the match with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ortega in the sixth singles match.

Northwest would stop the comeback in No. 5 singles as Altimires knocked off Cornelis 6-3, 6-2 and claim the 5-4 win.

The Bearcats take the week to regroup before returning to the court Feb. 26 as they travel to Ouachita Baptist.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Griffons fall short Saturday against No. 18 Bearcats

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The Missouri Western men have made a habit of dropping close, hard fought games and the Griffons (7-15, 2-14) did it again Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. Western wouldn’t go away in the second half and took No. 18 Northwest Missouri (19-3, 13-3) down to the wire, before falling 67-61. It marked the Griffons eighth loss of six points or less this season.

The Griffons were twice able to pull within three points in the final 30 seconds, but Bearcat free-throws downed Western and helped the Bearcats avoid the upset.Down by six with 24 seconds remaining, Reed Mells drained a 3-pointer that gave Western life. Two Jake Reinders free throws put Northwest up by five before a TJ Johnson dunk narrowed the lead to three again. Three more Bearcat free throws, and missed three’s from James Harris and Johnson closed out the game.

The Griffons jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead, that quickly turned into a 5-12 deficit early in the game. Western was a chilly 32 percent from the field in the first half. Douglas and Harris each scored six first half points. Mells had five and Justin Reid scored four in the first frame.

Lavonte Douglas recorded his fifth double-double of the season, leading the Griffons with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson and Harris each scored 13 for Western. Reid finished with six and chipped in 10 boards. The Griffons shot 43 percent from the field, 33 percent from behind the arc and just under 44 percent from the charity stipe. Western held a 26-20 points in the paint advantage and out rebounded the Bearcats 38-31. Western had 12 turnovers, which Northwest converted into 14 points. The Griffons managed just four points on eight Bearcat turnovers.

Western begins the second half of a four-game road swing when they travel to Jefferson City to take on Lincoln Feb. 15. Western concludes the road trip on Feb. 18 with  a trip to Kirksville to face Truman State.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western women lose in overtime at Northwest Missouri

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The Griffon women had their chances down the stretch but two shots came up short as time expired in overtime against Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons are still winless on the road in MIAA play falling to 0-8. Alicia Bell dumped in a career high 19 points as Western falls to 6-16 overall and 4-12 in MIAA play.

Western struggled in the early going on the offensive end of the floor making just one of its first ten shots getting down 15-2. Westetn turned things around at the 13:00 minute mark starting a 17-1 run which put Western up 19-16 after a layup by Ashleigh Curry.

Northwest responded with another run of their own outscoring Western 12-2 regaining a seven point lead with 5:13 to play. Once again Western responded closing on a 15-4 run taking a three point lead (36-33) into the locker room.

The Bearcats opened up the second half like the did the first outscoring the Griffons 15-6 claiming a six point lead after an three point play by Tara Roach with 12:16 to play. Western responded like the did in the first half going on a 12-3 run claiming a three point lead after a Bell three with 7:05 to play.

The rest of the half would be back and forth with neither team holding more than a three point lead. Bell nailed a jumper with 1:05 to play tying the score at 63. Last second shots by Jessica Koch and Alex Noble bounced off the rim as the teams went to overtime.

The story of overtime was the long range shot as the teams combined to hit five shots from beyond the arc. Northwest’s Abby Thayer opened the period with a three giving the Bearcats the three point lead. Western responded with a Kallie Schoonover jumper and a Bell three giving Western the 68-66 lead with 3:25 to play.

The two teams traded three’s with Western going up 71-69 after a Schoonover bomb, but the Bearcats used a second chance three by Shelly Martin with 21 seconds to play sealing the victory. Northwest improves to 5-19 overall and 3-13 in MIAA action.

Koch continued her streak of consecutive games in double figues dumping in 12 points. She has scored in double figures in 32 straight games. Ashleigh Curry collected a double double scoring 13 points and dumping in 13 rebounds. Schoonover was the only other Griffon in double figures scoring 10 points.

The Bearcats were led by Abby Henry and Martin with 16 and 15 points respectively. They scored 25 points off 20 Griffon turnovers and had 18 second chance points to the Griffons four.

Western returns to action on Wednesday, February 15 when they take on Lincoln Blue Tigers in Jefferson City, Mo. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 pm in Jason Gym.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest softball series at Drury postponed

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The season opening series for the Northwest Missouri State softball team with Drury University this weekend has been pushed back to Tuesday, Feb. 14, due to impending weather in southwest Missouri.

Start times for the double header with the Bearcats and Panthers are still set for a first pitch at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Northwest is coming off a 25-19 season and an MIAA postseason tournament berth. Under sixth-year head coach, Ryan Anderson, the Bearcats have appeared in four MIAA tournaments and earned one NCAA Regional berth in 2008.

The Panthers are coming off their best season ever under second-year head coach Chantiel Wilson with a 26-30 record. Last year Drury advance to the GLVC postseason tournament for the first time in the program’s young four-year existence.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

No. 18 Bearcats roll past Lincoln, 80-60

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Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team scored the first nine points of the game against Lincoln University Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena.

Midway through the first half, the Bearcats held a 15-point lead. They went into halftime ahead by 14.

At no point in the game was there doubt that Northwest would come away with its fifth straight win.

The Bearcats, ranked 18th in NCAA Division II, cruised to an 80-60 victory and improved to 18-3 overall and 12-3 in the MIAA.

“You have to realize that even though they are not having the best season this year, we have to focus on what we can control,” said Northwest junior Justin Clark. “We have to play hard as much as possible and do what we have to do to get a win.”

Although the Bearcats had a few sloppy moments late in the first half because of their huge lead, they made numerous plays throughout the first 20 minutes to show why they are having a special season.

It started with the first points of the game. Senior Jake Reinders grabbed an offensive rebound and converted it for a bucket.

Rebounding wins games.

“It is important to get those second-chance points, especially for the game at hand and to prepare for the next game as well,” said Reinders, who finished with 13 points.

“You want to have the mentality that you are getting every loose ball. You are playing Bearcat basketball. That’s one of our big things, second-chance points.”

Later in the first half, junior guard DeShaun Cooper drove the lane and kicked the ball in the corner for Justin Clark, who drained a wide-open three-pointer to increase Northwest lead to 24-8.

Breaking down a defense to create an open shot for a teammate wins games.

With DeShaun and Matt Wallace, our guards will find you,” Clark said. “It is always good to know that you have point guards that will find you. You always get your feet ready and ready to shoot it.”

A few minutes later, Clark was 1-on-1 with a Lincoln defender on a fast break. Instead of going for a contested lay-up, Clark dishes the ball back to Cooper who goes in for a layup. Lincoln fouled Cooper and he made both free throws, putting the Bearcats up 27-14.

Unselfish play wins games.

“Doing things like that keeps a team together and keeps us focused on what we need to keep doing,” Clark said. “We came out strong, but we started to get a little lackadaisical.”

To emphasize the unselfish point, Northwest concluded the first half with freshman Matt Wallace driving hard to the basket on a fast break. At the last second, he tossed a nifty, behind –the-back pass to a trailing teammate. Junior Bryston Williams caught the pass and scored a crowd-pleasing layup to give the Bearcats a 37-23 halftime lead.

“I’ve always grown up knowing I’m a pass-first guard,” Wallace said. “It’s how my dad taught me. I feel like for us to get points, we (guards) have to be unselfish.”

Lincoln shot 31 percent from the field in the first half.

Defense wins games.

“Fundamentals win games,” Wallace said. “If you are not playing good defense or making good passes or playing fundamentally, you are not going to win the game.”

Northwest was supposed to beat Lincoln, which dropped to 3-18 overall and 3-12 in the MIAA.

The Bearcats might have been able to beat Lincoln without playing a fundamentally sound game.

Winning teams play fundamentally sound basketball regardless of an opponent’s record.

Northwest did so many of the necessary things to beat Lincoln that it was easy to see Wednesday night why the Bearcats are battling for first in the MIAA.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest women blow halftime lead and lose to Lincoln

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Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team held an eight-point halftime lead and scored the first seven points in the second half against Lincoln University Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena.

All signs pointed to Northwest snapping a six-game losing streak.

The Bearcats gave no indication of what was about to unfold when it held a 13-point lead with 15:54 left.

Lincoln scored the next 16 points and never trailed again, handing Northwest a disheartening 82-67 loss.

Northwest dropped to 4-19 overall and 2-13 in the MIAA. The Bearcats’ hope of earning the eighth and final spot in the MIAA Tournament dimmed just a little bit more.

What happened when Northwest was leading 51-38 and appeared to be in complete control?

“We played with emotion, passion and desperation in the first half,” Northwest coach Gene Steinmeyer said. “None of that was present in the second half.  We missed a few shots and it all went away.

“I am a coach that is kind of out of answers.”

It took Lincoln 5 minutes to go from 13 points down to leading 54-51 with 10 minutes left.

It took another 2 minutes before Northwest broke its scoring drought. Shelly Martin knocked down a 15-foot jumper. Martin went 6 for 12 from the field and finished with 12 points. Abby Henry led Northwest with 22 points.

“We were stuck on 51 forever,” Steinmeyer said.

Lincoln immediately answered Martin’s basket with a three-pointer for a 57-53 lead. A little later, Freddie Sims knocked down a three-pointer that put Lincoln up 62-57 with 5:33 left.

The Bearcats never slowed down Lincoln’s offense in the final 10 minutes.

“It was like the proverbial snowball,” Steinmeyer said.

It really was hard to see this loss coming after the way Northwest played in the first half.

The Bearcats took a 41-33 lead into halftime. After a brief 2-0 deficit, the Bearcats completely dominated the first 10 minutes and built an 18-6.

The only bad sign was Northwest started giving up easy layups to Lincoln. It would haunt the Bearcats later in the game.

But in the first half, Northwest was scoring so easily that it almost didn’t matter that Lincoln was scoring nearly at the same pace.

Late in the first half, the Bearcats still held a 39-27 lead.

“How many times did we have kids on the floor for loose balls and then it just went away,” Steinmeyer said.

Northwest returns to action Saturday at home against rival Missouri Western. The Bearcats showed enough positive signs in the first half against Lincoln for them to believe they will break their losing streak.

A win against Western will definitely take some of the sting out of the loss to Lincoln.

“We will break down the film of the first half and try to transfer it to our next game,” Steinmeyer said.

The Bearcats just need to let that first half against Lincoln soak in. They created 20 turnovers in the first half. They shot 45 percent from the field. They played winning basketball.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

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