After struggling at the free throw line in each of their first two games the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats shot over 80 percent as they took a 64-54 win over Rockhurst Friday night in the opening game of the Hillyard Classic on the campus of Missouri Western.

Northwest, who improved to 3-0 on the year, got an outstanding effort at the free throw line as they finished 19 of 23 as a team in the win. The Hawks fell to 0-1 in their first game of the season, but the night belonged to the Bearcats led by a 27 point effort from DeShaun Cooper.

Cooper led Northwest converting on 11 of 12 from the charity stripe including knocking down a pair of free throws in the last minute to ice the game for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats also took care of the basketball only turning the ball over 10 times on the night while forcing 18.

Northwest and Rockhurst would go back and forth with the lead in the first half as both teams shot over 50 percent from the field. DeAngelo Hailey would put Northwest ahead for good knocking down a three-pointer with 3:54 left before the half. Hailey poured in a season high 15 points.

The Bearcats would eventually push their lead to double digits as Hailey knocked down his second three pointer of the half giving Northwest a 39-27 half time lead. Hailey would finish 3 of 5 from behind the three point arc on the night.

Rockhurst would make one last push in the second half pulling within seven at the 4:39 mark. However, Bryston Williams would knock down a pair of free throws and Cooper would add a free throw as well to build the Bearcat lead back to 10.

Cooper also pulled down six rebounds, second to Jake Reinders who had a team high seven.

The Bearcats close out the Hillyard Classic Saturday night as they take on William Jewell. Game time for Saturday’s game has also been pushed back to 6 p.m. from Looney Fieldhouse.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State overcame a 15 point deficit in the second half to pull within four points late in the second half, but their rally fell short against William Jewell Friday night in a 77-64 loss in the opening round of the Winstead-Reeves Classic at Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats fell to 0-3 on the year as their best effort of the season came without the services of Abby Henry much of the second half. William Jewell improved to 2-0 on the season after with-standing a feverish second half run by the Bearcats before pulling out the win.

Free throws by Tara Roach and Ashleigh Nelson pulled Northwest to 64-60, but the Cardinals would answer with a three-pointer that started a 10-0 run giving Jewell a 75-60 lead.

Northwest got solid efforts again in the post as Tara Roach led the Bearcats with 16 points. She was also one rebounds shy of a double-double finishing with nine boards.

Maggie Marnin also played well defensively for the Bearcats with a couple block shots down the stretch and pulling in nine rebounds.

Cassy Nicolay led all scorers with 25 as William Jewell had three players finish in double figures. The Cardinals also shot 46 percent from behind the three-point arc in the win.

The Bearcats look for their first win tomorrow night as they close out the Winstead-Reeves Classic hosting Missouri Valley. Tip from Bearcat Arena is 7:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball squad added 11 high school seniors and one junior college transfer head coach Darin Loe announced on Friday at the early signing period. The Bearcats were successful locally adding three players from Missouri, four from Nebraska and two from Iowa along with one each from California, Illinois and Wisconsin.

“This group of young men is one of the deepest and most talented groups we have ever had,” said Head Coach Darin Loe.  “With seven seniors and 21 juniors in the current year, this group will be counted on to form a nucleus for our future.”

Below are the 12 players signed by the Bearcats:

Austin Warren, North Central Missouri College:  Warren finished his Freshman season at North Central Missouri C.C. leading the Pirates in Innings Pitched, Strikeouts, ERA, and Wins.  The Lone Jack, Missouri native finished 2011 with 54 strikeouts and a 3.67 ERA.  Prior to North Central, Warren was a first team team all-district selection as both a junior and a senior at Lone Jack High School.

Coach Loe comment: “Austin is a 6’5” right-hander that really knows how to pitch.  He will work in the mid to upper 80’s with a great 3 pitch mix.  Austin will not walk you.  We expect him to be an immediate difference maker for us.”

Brian Schmiedt, Waukee (IA) HS:  A pitcher and starting outfielder for Waukee, Schmiedt finished his junior year with a 1.52 ERA while averaging 13.3 strikeouts per 9 innings and allowing an opponents’ batting average of .124.  Schmiedt, a participant in the 2011 Evo-Shield National Championship game, is one of just 16 Iowa 2012 graduates graded at 8.5 or higher by Perfect Game.

Coach Loe comment:  “Brian is a late bloomer on the mound.  He has tremendous arm strength with consistent mid to upper 80’s velocity and has a chance to develop into a very quality pitcher for us.”

Colby Bragdon, Urbandale (IA) HS:  Bragdon, a 6’2” 205 lb two-sport athlete, finished his junior year with a 5-2 record and a 3.42 ERA.  He struck out 41 batters in 43 innings and also showed prowess at the plate hitting .302 last year.  He was also a starter for the Urbandale football team that advanced to the second round of the Class 4A football playoffs this fall.

Coach Loe comment: “Colby is a very athletic player that we feel has tremendous upside.  He has a live arm and has an explosive curveball.  We expect Colby to be a big part of our program on the mound who also has a chance to contribute with the bat.”

Derek Meyer, Lincoln (NE) Pius X HS: A starting catcher and shortstop at Pius X, Meyer hit .319 and scored 30 runs as a junior.  Meyer spent this fall as teammates with fellow Northwest recruit JJ Benes on the Omaha Strike Zone Elite team.

Coach Loe comment: “Derek is one of the hardest-working players on the field we have seen at the high school level.  He is a very intelligent player that has a strong and accurate arm, good speed and the ability to do all the little things that help us win games.”

James Holler, Waynesville (MO) HS: Will enter his senior season at Waynesville after being the team MVP each of the last two years. Was named all-District and Academic all-State as a junior. He also picked up Third Team all-State accolades during the fall as the Tigers quarterback.

Coach Loe Comment: “James is a 6’3” kid that has a lot of room to get stronger and faster.  He has the ability to play several positions defensively and has outstanding athleticism, good speed and a strong arm.  As a hitter, James has the ability to be a difference-maker from the left handed side of the plate.”

James (JJ) Benes, Papillion La Vista (NE) HS:  Can play multiple positions including pitcher, first base, and outfield. Benes hit .413 with four home runs during his spring season as a junior and followed it up with a legion season in which he finished 5-2 on the mound with a 1.84 ERA and 53 strikeouts.  His teams qualified for both the 2011 high school and legion state tournaments.  Benes was both first team all-conference and honorable mention all-State during the spring of 2011.

Coach Loe Comment:  “JJ is one of the more developed High School pitchers we have seen in recent years.  He not only works with a mid-80’s fastball but is truly a 3 pitch pitcher.  JJ also has some intriguing pop in the bat that gives him a chance to contribute on the offensive side as well.”

Kurt Gitchell, Willowbrook (IL) HS:  A .402 hitter his junior year, Gitchell also threw out 68% of runners trying to steal.  Another multisport athlete, Gitchell served as his school’s quarterback during his junior season that culminated with winning the Illinois state championship.

Coach Loe comment: “Kurt is a very polished high school player.  He is an outstanding athlete who is well-rounded; giving him a chance to be successful in all phases of the game.”

Mason Raburn, Omaha (NE) Creighton Prep:  A varsity letter winner as both a sophomore and a junior, Raburn finished the 2011 season with a 1.50 ERA.  The 6’1” left-handed pitcher will take an 8-0 career record on the mound into his senior season.

Coach Loe comment: “Mason, like Matt Kanger, comes from a tremendously successful Creighton Prep program.  Mason has had tremendous success at the high school level and has a live arm that gives him a lot of room to grow.”

Matt Kanger, Omaha (NE) Creighton Prep:  Kanger hit .395 as the starting first baseman for Omaha Creighton Prep, a 2011 Nebraska state tournament qualifier.  At 6’4”, 200 lbs, Kanger also hit .405 for the well-respected Nebraska Sluggers summer travel team.

Coach Loe comment: “Matt is one of the premier hitters in the Omaha area.  He has shown he has game-changing type power from the left side of the plate.  Matt is extremely developed physically and has a chance to hit in the middle of our order early in his career.

Nate Van Ells, Greendale (WI) HS:  A three-sport athlete at Greendale High, Van Ells has been a three-year varsity letterman for the baseball team. He was named all-conference and all-suburban during his sophomore and junior season as he hit a solid .422 with 17 doubles and 22 stolen bases while striking out just three times on the year. He was also outstanding on the mound going 7-1 with a 1.05 ERA during his junior season.

Coach Loe comment:  “Nate is an outstanding athlete.  He will immediately be one of our fastest players and his versatility will give him a chance to contribute in a number of areas.”

Robert Henrichs, Liberty HS:  A two-year letter-winner, Henrichs was the starting pitcher in the Missouri Class 4 state championship game for the Blue Jays last spring and finished with a 6-1 record on the mound.  Henrichs has also been a two-year starter on the Liberty football team.

Coach Loe comment: “Rob is a quality high school pitcher that that has the rare combination of a live arm and a great feel for pitching.  Rob is a tremendous athlete who will immediately compete for innings on the mound that will also have the ability to compete on the infield.”

Rod Schmidt, Edison (CA) HS:  Last year Schmidt was in the rotation at Edison High in California, one of the most prestigious high school baseball programs in the country. He was ranked as high as the No. 1 prospect nationally by Max Preps, ESPN Rise and Baseball America during the spring. Helped the Chargers to a 25-4 finish and was selected to play for the 18-under National Team at the Goodwill Series in Australia in 2011.

Coach Loe comment: “Rod has proven that he can compete with some of the best competition nationally at the High School level.  He has a great feel for pitching with an advanced approach to the game.”

— NWMSU Sports Information —

A pair of Northwest Missouri State volleyball players earned all-MIAA accolades as voted on by coaches and announced by the league office Thursday morning.

Senior Laira Akin was named all-MIAA second team while sophomore Amy Majors earned Honorable Mention honors for the Bearcats. Seven players apiece from MIAA Co-Champions Central Missouri and Washburn headlined the 2011 all-MIAA Volleyball Team as selections were made by the league’s 10 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Akin finished her career at Northwest with her third consecutive season of over 1,000 assists moving her to third all-time with 3,600 assists and an average of 10.07 assists per set. She also crossed 300 digs in her senior season and finished with 773 career digs and is a three-time all-MIAA honoree.

Majors was one of the top defensive middle blockers in the league breaking the 100 block plateau and finishing fourth in kills for the Bearcats with 262. She averaged 1.23 blocks per set and offensively finished 11 games with at least 10 kills and including six of her last eight to finish the season.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State led most of the night as they took a 74-43 win over Waldorf College in men’s non-conference basketball action Tuesday night at Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats (2-0) jumped out to a 10-2 lead and never looked back as they also ended the game on a 9-0. Waldorf a NAIA opponent fell to 1-2 on the season while Northwest continues action this weekend at the Hillyard Classic hosted by Missouri Western.

The Warriors would rally in the early going to cut the Bearcat lead to 25-23 with over four minutes left in the half. Waldorf eventually took their only lead after a Dillon Starzl allowed WC to take the lead for only a moment.

Bryston Williams would knock down a deep three pointer on the wing giving Northwest back the lead, something they would not give up the rest of the night. Williams would finish with seven points.

Then back-to-back baskets from DeShaun Cooper extended the Bearcat led to five at the half. Cooper tied for a game high 15 points with Alex Sullivan. Sullivan finished 4 for 4 from the free throw line to help aid in his final total.

Northwest quickly built a double digit lead in the first five minutes of the half taking a 41-30 lead at the first media timeout. The Bearcats would cruise from there converting 20 points off 14 Waldorf turnovers. Northwest was solid at the guard positions only turning over the ball nine times.

The Bearcats open play Friday night at the Hillyard Classic against Rockhurst with a 5:30 p.m. tip. Saturday night’s start time against William Jewell has been pushed back to 6 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northeastern State led wire to wire as they ran away from Northwest Missouri State 69-42 Tuesday night in women’s college basketball action at Dobbins Fieldhouse.

The Bearcats (0-2) fell to the future MIAA foe and current South Central Region rival in their first action of the season against NCAA II opponents. The Riverhawks (1-0) had four players finish in double figures while shooting above 50 percent from the field in the win.

Northwest struggled shooting as they finished at 34 percent from the field. The Bearcats were able to get to the free throw line 23 times almost 20 more chances than their opponent, but only converted on 11 attempts.

The Bearcats did see improved production from their front line as Candace Boeh and Tara Roach led Northwest in scoring with nine and eight points respectively. Roach also led all players with eight rebounds in the game.

After a hot start last week, senior Shelly Martin went 1-for-5 from behind the three point arc. She was 5 of 9 against UMKC last week.

Northeastern State’s Sarah Green led all players with 14 points on the night.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

A group of underclassmen helped lead 11th-ranked Northwest Missouri State to a 62-21 win over Emporia State on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Stadium.

The effort provided by the senior class helped set up the Bearcats (9-2, 7-2) all season long. Northwest tallied five sacks including a key sack from senior Josh Lorenson while outstanding offensive line play led by senior Cody Johnson paved the way for the Bearcats to rush for 349 yards.

“Cody has done an outstanding job leading that group and today may have been one of their best efforts up front,” said head coach Adam Dorrel who finishes his first regular season at the helm of the Bearcats at 9-2. “Jordan (Simmons) and James (Franklin) are so talented and great weapons to have. They really help complete our offensive unit.”

The duo nearly reached 100 yards apiece as James Franklin finished with a career high 229 yards and two touchdowns. His counterpart Jordan Simmons was also impressive, rushing nine times for 96 yards and four scores. Twice on the ground and one receiving and a special teams score.

Simmons put the Bearcats on the scoreboard first with a 3-yard run to cap a six play 41-yard drive.

Emporia State (5-6, 3-6) marched back down the field to even the score with their own 3-yard touchdown run. The Hornets would not muster much more offensively as the Bearcat defense limited the ESU rushing attack 100 yards under their average as Northwest scored three more times to build a 28-14 halftime lead.

Simmons added a second rushing touchdown and another receiving on an out pattern that left the junior wide open near the sideline as he easily crossed the goal line.

The Bearcats final touchdown of the half would come on Bryce Enyard’s sixth interception of the year. Enyard jumped in-front of a throw-back pass to Hornet’s quarterback Tyler Eckenrode and scamper 59-yards to the end zone.

Northwest would quickly add to their lead scoring 42 unanswered points to open the second half.

After a 24-yard Todd Adolf field goal, Franklin got his first taste of the Bearcat scoring barrage as he broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run. Franklin would score just over two minutes later when the Bearcat defense forced a quick three-and-out, but the Hornet punt pinned Northwest in the shadow of their own goal line.

Franklin took the first play from the Bearcats own 1-yard, to the ESU 26-yard line. He would find pay dirt just three plays later from 5-yards out to give Northwest a 45-14 lead.

Senior Chad Kilgore would put a stop to the ESU offense forcing another Hornet punt. Kilgore finished with nine tackles as on the ensuing punt Northwest would vault over 50 points for the eighth time this season as Simmons found an opening and jaunted 46-yards down the sideline for his third special teams score of the year.

The Bearcats would add 10 more points on a second Adolf field goal and a 23-yard run from Kohlman Adema-Schulte.

Northwest is almost assured their eighth consecutive playoff berth, but will wait to see where they are placed when the NCAA Division II playoffs selections are announced Sunday at 4 p.m. on ncaa.com.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Three Northwest Missouri State football players were named to the CoSIDA All-District Academic Team earlier Thursday as announced by the organization.

Senior wide receiver Jake Soy, junior kicker Todd Adolf and sophomore quarterback Trevor Adams all were named to the first team as voted on by Super Region Four sports information directors.  All three players will also advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Soy became the all-time leader in touchdown receptions in Northwest and MIAA history earlier this season with 45 touchdown catches. He also ranks top five in the Bearcat record books in career receptions, receiving yards, and career touchdowns. A native of Durant, Iowa, Soy carries a 3.76 GPA in business management.

Adolf has been the Bearcats kicker for the two previous season connecting on 71-of-72 extra points and 7 of 9 field goal attempts this season.  The Omaha, Neb. Native is third in scoring for the Bearcats and carries a 3.65 GPA in speech communications.

Adams has emerged at quarterback for the Bearcats starting five games in place of injured quarterback Blake Christopher. Adams has helped lead Northwest as the nation’s top scoring offense averaging 53 points per game and second in total offense averaging 513 yards per game. A native of Odessa, Texas, Adams also leads the nation in passing efficiency while carrying a 4.00 GPA as a biology and psychology major.

The Academic All‐District ® teams include the student‐athletes listed on the following pages and are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the first year of the expanded Academic All‐America® program as CoSIDA moves from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non‐Division I) and doubles the number of scholar‐athletes honored. The teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two‐year schools.

— NWMSU Sports Information —