MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team cruised to a 93-43 non-conference home win over Tabor College on Friday afternoon in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest (7-0 overall) won for the 22nd straight time in the month of November. Tabor fell to 3-6 on the season.

Junior Ryan Welty buried 7-of-10 three-pointers and led the way with 21 points. Sophomore Ryan Hawkins narrowly missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins dished out six assists and scored 10 points.

Freshman Diego Bernard scored 10 points and handed out three assists in his first collegiate start.

Northwest shot 57.6 percent from the field and drained 14 three-pointers against the Bluejays.

The Bearcats will take to the court against next Saturday against Midland at 3 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Daric Laing scored his first points of the season as he sank a pair of three-pointers … Xavier Rhodes scored his first collegiate points with eight points off the bench … Northwest has won the rebounding battle in all seven games this season.

— Northwest Athltiecs —

The Northwest Missouri State women were defeated by William Jewell 67-43 in St. Joseph at the Fairfield Inn Thanksgiving Classic Friday night. William Jewell closed the game on a 15-0 run. The Bearcats allowed 14 offensive rebounds and had 16 turnovers.

Northwest was led in scoring by Kaylani Maiava with 14 points and Jaelyn Haggard was also in double figures with 10. Mallory McConkey led the team with 8 rebounds.

Antoinette Mussorici led William Jewell with 20 points. Kayla Harrell had 13, Kiara Bradley and Sydney Offield each scored 12. Offield also led William Jewell in rebounds with 7.

Northwest will play again Saturday Nov. 24, against St. Mary for their second game of the Fairfield Inn Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Missouri Western.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State University senior outside hitter Maddy Bruder became the Bearcats’s first American Volleyball Coaches Association first-team all-region selection.

Bruder earned first-team all-central region honors capping a tremendous senior season that also saw her named the MIAA Player of the Year.

Bruder (Firth, Nebraska/Norris HS) is the first four-time first-team all-MIAA selection in Bearcat volleyball history. Bruder led the MIAA in kills (4.26 per set) and ranked No. 17 in the nation in that category. Bruder blew away the competition in MIAA matches by averaging 4.30 kills per set with 275 kills in 64 sets. Bruder notched a team-best 17 double-doubles, including 12 in MIAA play.

Bruder ranks No. 4 all-time at Northwest with 1,654 kills. She also ranks No. 8 in program history in digs (1,306).

Earlier this month, Bruder was named to the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association all-Central region volleyball team.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team moved to 6-0 on the season with an 85-66 win over Illinois-Springfield at Municipal Auditorium.

Senior Joey Witthus poured in a career-high 33 points and sophomore Ryan Hawkins tallied his third double-double of the year with 18 rebounds and 16 points.

Five Bearcats scored in double figures with Trevor Hudgins adding 14 points, Diego Bernard scoring 11 points and Ryan Welty tossing in 11 as well.

Northwest will be back in action Friday at 2 p.m. in Bearcat Arena against Tabor College.

NOTES: Northwest has won 26 straight games on neutral floors … Northwest won the rebounding battle for the sixth time this season, 42-38.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State University head men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum has announced the signing of Wes Dreamer from Lincoln East High School in Nebraska.

“We are very excited to announce the signing of Wes Dreamer,” McCollum said. “He is a very unselfish kid that comes from a great family. He transferred to Lincoln East this year to add strength and play against high level competition throughout the entire season which will help him in his transition to college basketball. At 6’7″, Wes has great length and is able to stretch the floor with his shooting ability, two things that we value a lot in our program.”

Dreamer, from Murdock, Nebraska, was a two-time class C-2 all-state boys basketball player for Elmwood-Murdock High School. He was the honorary captain of the Class C-2 all-state team after averaging 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, leading the Knights to the state tournament . Dreamer transferred to Lincoln East High School for his senior year to play under head coach Jeff Campbell. Dreamer also played AAU basketball with the well-known Martin Brothers AAU program out of Iowa.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State head men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum has been named the HoopDirt.com Division II national coach of the week.

McCollum, who captured the 2016-17 HoopDirt.com National Coach of the Year award, has led Northwest Missouri State to a stellar start to the season. The Bearcats opened the season by defeating both teams from the NCAA D-II championship game last year. They beat last year’s runner up Northern State 72-70 in overtime on Nov. 3, then defending champion No. 13 Ferris State 100-86 the following day.

After that, McCollum’s team won three straight blowout games to move to 5-0 on the season and take the No. 2 spot in the D2SIDA poll. The Bearcats will begin the MIAA Basketball Challenge on Monday against Illinois-Springfield.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State head volleyball coach Amy Woerth has announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2019 recruiting class.

“I would describe this class as hard-working student-athletes who push themselves on the court and in the classroom,” Worth said. “I’m excited about their competitiveness as this class has played high-level volleyball in their high school and club careers. We are thrilled to have these student-athletes and their families join the Bearcat family.”

Jaden Ferguson is a 6’0″ outside hitter from Lincoln, Nebraska. Ferguson has accrued 1,310 kills, 846 digs, 152 aces and 144 blocks for Lincoln Southeast High School for head coach Mark Novotny. She is a two-time all-state selection and a three-time all-conference pick. She also earned all-state state honors in basketball in 2017 and 2018. She is an honor roll student. Ferguson posted academic all-state honors in 2018. She has a 4.0 GPA. Ferguson is the daughter of Stephanie Emryand Pete Ferguson.

Londyn Gartner is a 5’11” middle hitter from Leawood, Kansas. She ranks third all-time at Blue Valley North High School in career blocks (254). She ranks ninth in career kills (644) for head coach Matt Allin. Gartner led the squad in kill efficiency as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Blue Valley North placed third in the state of Kansas her freshman season and fifth place in both her junior and senior years. Gartner played for the Dynasty Volleyball Club and qualified for Open in 13s, 14s and 15s. Her club squad finished in the top 10 among open teams at USVA 14s division at the national tournament. She helped her team to a second-place finish at the USAVA National the 16s and also placed fifth for the 17s. Gartner is the daughter of Trevor and Kara Gartner.

Emmy Grant is a 6’1″ middle hitter from Omaha, Nebraska. Grant has helped Millard North to a No. 1 ranking in the state of Nebraska as a senior for head coach Lindsay Peterson. She led the squad to a runner-up finish in the 2017 state tournament. She has posted 528 kills (.303) and 341 blocks. Grant was named to the top 25 most outstanding blockers in the country in 2018 by Prep Volleyball. She owns the school record in blocks in a season and a career. She is an honor roll student. Grant is the daughter of Kit Nelson.

Hannah LaPour is a 6’0″ middle hitter from Blue Springs, Missouri. LaPour tallied 227 kills (.336) with 62 blocks and 17 service aces as a senior at Blue Springs North High School for head coach Mallori Perry. LaPour tallied all-state honors in 2017. She is a three-time all-district and all-conference pick. LaPour is the daughter of Steve and Jane LaPour.

Sydney McDermott is a 6’1″ right side/middle hitter from Omaha, Nebraska. McDermott helped lead Skutt Catholic High School to three state championships in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for head coach Renee Saunders. McDermott earned class B all-tournament team honors and overall all-tournament teams honors in the 2018 state tourney. McDermott earned honorable all-state honors in 2017 from the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World Herald. McDermott tallied 606 career kills with 126 career blocks. She hit .347 as a senior. She earned academic all-conference honors in 2016, 2017 and 2018, while being a three-time academic all-state selection. She is the daughter of Theresa and Greg McDermott.

Alyssa Rezac is a 5’7″ setter from Wahoo, Nebraska. Rezac posted 2,300 career assists and 1,000 digs at Bishop Neumann High School for head coach Brandi Sladky. Rezac is a three-time honorable mention all-state selection. She is a three-time all-district honoree and a four-time all-conference pick. She was a member of the state runner-up girls basketball team in 2018. She was given the NSAA NCPA academic all-state award and the St. John Scholar award. She has been honored for outstanding achievement in accounting. She is the daughter of Chad and Julie Rezac.

Northwest Missouri State Volleyball Signees
Name                            Height Position   Hometown/High School
Jaden Ferguson            6’0″     OH           Lincoln, Nebraska/Lincoln Southeast HS
Londyn Gartner            5’11”   MH          Leawood, Kansas/Blue Valley North HS
Emmy Grant                 6’1″     MH          Omaha, Nebraska/Millard North HS
Hannah LaPour             6’0″     MH/RS    Blue Springs, Missouri/Blue Springs South HS
Sydney McDermott      6’1″     RS/MH    Omaha, Nebraska/Skutt Catholic HS
Alyssa Rezac                 5’7″     S              Wahoo, Nebraska/Bishop Neumann HS

— Northwest Athletics —

ALLENDALE, Michigan – The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football team used a punishing ground game and slowed down the Grand Valley State passing attack for a 42-17 victory at Lubbers Stadium in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II playoffs.

Northwest (10-2 overall) rushed for 356 yards and the Bearcat defense held the Lakers to 128 yards passing. GVSU came into the game averaging nearly 270 yards per game through the air. The Lakers finished the season at 10-2 overall.

Bearcat running backs Isaiah Strayhorn and Josh Caldwell took their turns attacking the Lakers on the ground. Strayhorn rushed for 171 yards, including an 84-yard score at the end of the third quarter that stifled any momentum the Lakers had for a comeback. Caldwell tallied 147 rushing yards and a pair of 28-yard touchdown scampers. Strayhorn also posted an additional rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Bearcat defensive effort was led by Austen Eskew’s three quarterback sacks, Jack Richards’s two interceptions and Ben Althoff’s team-best 12 tackles.

Northwest wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as the Bearcats found the end zone three plays into the game. Redshirt freshman Braden Wright hit senior wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. on a crossing route of the middle on a third-and-11 play. Bane broke a tackle and raced 51 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.

Bearcat senior defensive end Austen Eskew recorded a sack to thwart a Laker drive. The Lakers then pinned Northwest on the 1-yard line for the Bearcats’s ensuing drive. On second down, Wright fumbled the snap and GVSU defensive lineman Dylan Carroll fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a Laker touchdown with 4:58 left in the first quarter.

Northwest regained the lead in the second quarter when the Bearcats drove 75 yards in 11 plays and took a 14-7 advantage. Wright connected with junior tight end Marqus Andrews on a one-yard toss with 7:10 left in the second.

GVSU kicker J.J. McGrath pulled the Lakers to within four before halftime with a 35-yard field goal. McGrath’s kick left Northwest with a 14-10 lead with 2:35 on the clock.

Senior safety Jack Richards intercepted a Bart Williams pass with 6:10 left in the third quarter. Northwest took full advantage of the turnover when senior running back Josh Caldwell took it 28 yards on the ground for a touchdown. Caldwell’s score gave Northwest a 21-10 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

The Lakers trimmed the margin back to four at 21-17 following a two-yard touchdown plunge by Jack Provencher with 1:02 left in the third quarter.

However, Northwest answered back immediately when running back Isaiah Strayhorn, evoking memories of an Xavier Omon playoff touchdown run against the Lakers, broke through for an 84-yard touchdown run of his own. Strayhorn’s gallop gave Northwest a 28-17 advantage with 0:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Strayhorn added a 3-yard rushing touchdown with 4:06 left in the fourth quarter. Strayhorn’s touchdown was his second of the day and gave Northwest a 35-17 lead over the Lakers.

Caldwell put an emphatic ending to the win when he barreled into the end zone for his second 28-yard rushing score with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter.

Northwest will play at Ferris State next Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Ferris State knocked off Harding, 21-19.

NOTES: It is Northwest’s first road playoff win since a 38-31 overtime win at Midwestern State (Texas) on Nov. 26, 2011 … Northwest has won a Division II-best 48 playoff games … Northwest is 18-0 when leading at halftime under head coach Rich Wright … Shawn Bane Jr.’s touchdown was the 30th career touchdown reception for the senior from Sarasota, Florida … Caldwell has rushed for 35 career touchdowns, including 11 this season for the Bearcats … Caldwell delivered his second straight 100-yard rushing performance – the 17th of his collegiate career … Strayhorn notched his second 100-yard rushing game of his Northwest career … Northwest gained 448 total yards, while limiting Grand Valley State to 239 total yards.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team fell to Maryville University 87-78 Saturday in St. Louis. The Bearcats led most of the game until being outscored 40-20 in the 4th quarter. Northwest allowed 16 offensive rebounds on the game.

The Bearcats were led in points and rebounds by Kaylani Maiava with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Jaelyn Haggard had 17 points and Kendey Eaton had 11. Erika Schlosser led the team with 5 assists. The Bearcats had 17 turnovers on the game.

Maryville was led in points by Kayla Steward with 24 points. Stephanie Sherwood with 14, Mary Barton with 13, and Jayda Jensen with 12 were the other players with double digit scoring. They were led in rebounds by UU Longs with 6 rebounds and in assists by Barton with 6.

Northwest will play again Friday Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in St. Joseph, Mo. against William Jewell.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team trounced the Truman State Bulldogs in Bearcat Arena, 87-60.

Northwest moves to 5-0 on the season, while Truman State drops to 0-3.

Northwest used a double-barrel offensive attack from senior redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins and Joey Witthus as both players set career highs in scoring. Hudgins poured in 28 points on 12-of-24 shooting, while Witthus connected for 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor and 6-of-6 at the free throw line.

The Bearcats protected the basketball by turning it over only five times, while forcing the Bulldogs into 20 turnovers. Sophomore Ryan Hawkins was credited with a career-high five steals. Hawkins led the Bearcats on the boards with 13.

Northwest will be back in action Monday at 8 p.m. against Illinois-Springfield at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

NOTES: Freshman Diego Bernard also set a career-high with 12 points … Northwest has won its last four home openers … head coach Ben McCollum improves to 8-2 in home openers in Bearcat Arena … Northwest has won its last 20 straight games in the month of November … the Bearcats hold a 103-94 edge vs. the Bulldogs in the all-time series.

— Northwest Athletics —