The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team defeated the College of Saint Mary’s Flames 61-45 in the Bearcats home opener and first home game under new head coach Austin Meyer. This was the first time the Bearcats held an opponent under 50 since January 2016.

Kendey Eaton led the Bearcats with 17 points and went 3-4 from three. Kaylani Maiava added 11 and Jaelyn Haggard scored 10 and led the team in assists with 4. Mallory McConkey had a team high 8 rebounds and added 6 points.

The Flames were led in points by Lynsey Curran with 11. Trista Merrival led Saint Mary’s in rebounds with 9 and assists with 3.

The Bearcats move to 1-2 overall and will play again Saturday Nov. 17 at Maryville University in St. Louis at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State head women’s basketball coach Austin Meyer has added a pair of high school signees for his 2019 recruiting class.

Jayna Green is a 6’1” power forward from Omaha, Nebraska. Green averaged 8.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game as a junior at Millard North High School for head coach David Diehl. Green set her school record with 20 rebounds in a game. She helped Millard North to a 23-3 season and the school’s first trip to the state tournament in five years. Green ranks in the top-10 in school history in total rebounds (394), offensive rebounds (123), defensive rebounds (271), assists (126) and blocks (61). She earned all-metro conference honors in 2018. Green is an honor roll student. She holds a 3.9 GPA and plans to major in pre-med/biology at Northwest. She is the daughter of Robert and Casey Green.

“Jayna is a versatile and athletic forward that rebounds the ball extremely well,” Meyer said. “She can score inside and out. She can also defend numerous positions.”

Paityn Rau is a 6’2” power forward/center from Waukee, Iowa. Rau averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 57.7 percent from the field for Waukee High School and head coach Chris Guess. Rau averaged 8.1 rebounds per game. She earned all-CIML central division honors as a junior. Rau is a three-time all-academic award recipient. She is a three-time academic letterwinner. Rau is a member of National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jeff and Cherie Rau.

“Paityn is very efficient in the low post and can also step and shoot the three,” Meyer said. “She rebounds the ball well and will provide length defensively on our front line.”

Meyer said both players are great additions to the Northwest women’s basketball program.

“We are excited to welcome Jayna and Paityn to our Bearcat basketball family,” Meyer said. “Both are high character individuals that play for terrific high school coaches and programs. Millard North and Waukee will be in the hunt for state titles in the largest class in their respective states this season.”

Northwest Missouri State Women’s Basketball Signees

Jayna Green 6’1” PF Omaha, Nebraska/Millard North HS

Paityn Rau 6’2” PF/C Waukee, Iowa/Waukee HS

— Northwest Athletics —

TOPEKA, Kan. — The 2018 Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association all-Central region volleyball team was announced on Wednesday. The teams were voted on by the region’s sports information directors. Nine of the 14 student-athletes selected for the two teams will be in action this weekend at the NCAA Central Regional hosted by Nebraska-Kearney starting on Thursday where seven of the eight teams are ranked in the top 11 of this week’s AVCA National Top 25 poll.

Southwest Minnesota State’s Taylor Reiss was named the Central Region’s Player of the Year for the third-straight season as well as first team all-region as an outside hitter for the third season in a row. Reiss, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s three-time Player of the Year, leads the NSIC in kills with 5.80 per game with 644 total kills. Reiss also leads the nation in attacks per set (14.52), kills per set (5.80), and total kills (644).

Joining Reiss on the first team was senior outside hitter and the MIAA Player of the Year Maddy Bruder from Northwest Missouri State and repeat first team selection from last season senior Taylor Bevis from Central Oklahoma. At middle hitter/block is repeat pick from last season senior Zoe Hardin from Harding and junior Sara Macek from Concordia-St. Paul. The libero/defensive specialist is senior Ellie McDonnell from Nebraska-Kearney and senior Elizabeth Mohr from Concordia-St. Paul was tabbed as the setter.

On the second team at outside hitter was senior Courtney Place from Augustana, junior Morgan Olson from Minnesota State and repeat second-team pick from last season, senior Brooklyn Lewis from Concordia-St. Paul. A pair of sophomores from the MIAA were selected second team at middle hitter/blocker in Allison Maxwell from Washburn and Audrey Fisher from Central Missouri. Southwestern Oklahoma State’s junior Kaitlyn Dillon was tabbed as second team libero/defensive specialist and junior Emily Torve from Minnesota-Duluth was picked at setter.

Overall the NSIC had seven selections and the region player of the year while the MIAA had five picks and the Great American Conference had two honored. Concordia-St. Paul led all schools with three selections while no other team had more than one.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

Regional Player of the Year
($) Taylor Reiss, Southwest Minnesota State (5-10 • OH • Taunton, Minn.)

First Team All-Region
OH – (!) Taylor Reiss, Southwest Minnesota State (5-10 • Senior • Taunton, Minn.)
OH – Maddy Bruder, Northwest Missouri (5-11 • Senior • Firth, Neb.)
OH – (@) Taylor Bevis, Central Oklahoma (5-10 • Senior • Wichita, Kan.)
MH/B – (@) Zoe Hardin, Harding (6-3 • Senior • Amarillo, Texas)
MH/B – Sara Macek, Concordia-St. Paul (5-11 • Junior • Monticello, Minn.)
Libero/DS – Ellie McDonnell, Nebraska-Kearney (5-5 • Senior • Papillion, Neb.)
Setter – Elizabeth Mohr, Concordia-St. Paul (5-7 • Senior • Eden Prairie, Minn.)

Second Team All-Region
OH – Courtney Place, Augustana (6-2 • Senior • Okabena, Minn.)
OH – Morgan Olson, Minnesota State (5-11 • Junior, Annandale, Minn.)
OH – (#) Brooklyn Lewis, Concordia-St. Paul (5-10 • Senior • Kasson, Minn.)
MH/B – Allison Maxwell, Washburn (6-1 • Sophomore • Jefferson City, Mo.)
MH/B – Audrey Fisher, Central Missouri (6-0 • Sophomore • Lenexa, Kan.)
Libero/DS – Kaitlyn Dillon, Southwestern Oklahoma State (5-6 • Junior • Edmond, Okla.)
Setter – Emily Torve, Minnesota-Duluth (5-8 • Junior • Loretto, Minn.)

($) – Region Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017
(!) – First Team selection in 2016 and 2017
(@) – First Team selection in 2017
(#) – Second Team selection in 2017

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State quarterback Braden Wright is the MIAA Freshman of Year and the Bearcat football is represented by 17 players on the all-MIAA squads released today.

Wright (Elkhorn, Nebraska) has passed for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 496 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 rushing touchdowns are the most by a freshman quarterback in Division II football. He is also one of eight Division II quarterbacks to pass for 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions.

Northwest’s first-team all-MIAA selections went to senior defensive end Austen Eskew (Lawson, Missouri), senior offensive tackle Zach Flott (Ralston, Nebraska), senior safety Anthony Lane (Riviera Beach, Florida), sophomore offensive tackle Tanner Owen (Kearney, Missouri) and sophomore defensive tackle Sam Roberts (Waynesville, Missouri).

The Bearcats’s second-team all-MIAA picks were wide receiver/returner Shawn Bane Jr. (Sarasota, Florida), senior linebacker Nick Hess (Liberty, Missouri), senior safety Jack Richards (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) and redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright (Elkhorn, Nebraska).

Northwest landed a pair of third-team all-MIAA honorees in junior cornerback Chama Pierre (Lake Worth, Florida) and junior offensive guard Ryan Spelhaug (Bettendorf, Iowa).

The Bearcats had six players tabbed to the all-MIAA honorable mention list in senior linebacker Ben Althoff (Palmyra, Missouri), junior tight end Marqus Andrews (Blue Springs, Missouri), senior running back Josh Caldwell (Lee’s Summit, Missouri), junior defensive end Mike Ehlke (Little Chute, Wisconsin), junior defensive tackle Spencer Phillips (Glenwood, Iowa) and junior running back Isaiah Strayhorn (Chula Vista, California).

FIRST TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Austen Eskew – leads the MIAA in sacks and tackles-for-loss … started all 11 games at defensive end … part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense … the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense … first-team all-MIAA in 2017.

Zach Flott – started all 11 games at right tackle … Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game … protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns … Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground … second-team all-MIAA pick in 2017.

Anthony Lane – led the squad with nine pass breakups … tied for fifth on the squad with 42 total tackles (30 solos) … started first three games at cornerback and moved to safety where he started final seven games … two-time second-team all-MIAA pick in 2016 and 2017.

Tanner Owen – started all 11 games at left tackle for the MIAA champions … Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game … protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns … Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground.

Sam Roberts – ranks third in MIAA in sacks and TFLs … registered seven tackles and two sacks in a 41-0 win over Emporia State … led the squad with eight quarterback hurries … honorable mention all-MIAA pick in 2017.

SECOND TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Shawn Bane Jr. – led Northwest in receptions (41), receiving yards (692) and receiving touchdowns (5) … posted a season-high 102 yards receiving vs. Missouri Western … caught at least two passes in every game … returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown against Missouri Southern … also returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown against Fort Hays State … scored seven total touchdowns … second-team all-MIAA pick in 2016 and 2017 … MIAA freshman of the year in 2015 … first-team all-MIAA kick/punt returner in 2015.

Nick Hess – Started all 11 games at linebacker … tied for fifth on the team with 42 total tackles … has eight TFLs and 2.5 sacks … season-high nine tackles vs. Nebraska-Kearney … part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense … the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense … third-team all-MIAA in 2017.

Jack Richards – started all 11 games at safety .. led the Bearcats in tackles (80) … ranked second on the team with two interceptions … part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense … the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense.

Braden Wright – his 11 rushing scores is tied for second in the nation among all quarterbacks … he ranks third in the nation among all freshmen in rushing touchdowns … one of eight quarterbacks with 2,000 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions … ranks third in the nation among freshmen in points responsible for (186).

THIRD TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Chama Pierre – appeared in nine games and made seven starts at cornerback … ranks second on the squad with seven pass breakups … credited with 14 tackles (12 solos) … one tackle-for-loss … tallied four pass breakups vs. Nebraska-Kearney … posted a season-high four tackles vs. Fort Hays State.

Ryan Spelhaug – started all 11 games at right guard … Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game … protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns … Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground.

HONORABLE MENTION – BEARCAT BIOS
Ben Althoff – Started and played in eight games while battling injuries … recorded 28 tackles (13 solos) … two TFLs and a quarterback sack … posted a seaso-high six tackles vs. Fort Hays State … a first-team all-MIAA pick in 2017.

Marqus Andrews – ranked third on the team with three touchdown receptions … ranked fifth on the squad with 16 receptions … caught a season-high four passes, including a touchdown at Central Missouri … tallied a season-high 46 receiving yards, including a 25-yard score at Lindenwood.

Josh Caldwell – second on the squad in rushing yards (659) and rushing touchdowns (9) … caught 12 passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns … ranks No. 7 among active Div. II running backs with 3,281 rushing yards … has rushed for 33 career touchdowns … posted 16 career 100-yard games (15 for Missouri Western and 1 for Northwest) … named the MIAA co-offensive player of the week after he rushed for a season-high 182 and three rushing scores, plus two receptions for 24 yards and a receiving touchdown at Central Missouri.

Mike Ehlke – started all 11 games at defensive end … tallied 25 total tackles (14 solos) … credited with seven tackles-for-loss and four quarterback sacks … posted a season-high seven tackles vs. Nebraska-Kearney.

Spencer Phillips – started all 11 games at nose guard … tied for third on the team in total tackles (44) … 21 solo stops … ranked third on the squad with 8.0 tackles-for-loss … registered 2.5 sacks … forced a fumble … credited with five quarterback hurries … had a season-high seven tackles at Pittsburg State.

Isaiah Strayhorn – leads Northwest in rushing yards (688) … named the MIAA player of the week after rushing for 147 yards on only 11 carries in a 31-7 win at Pittsburg State … rushed for two scores in a 38-17 victory at Lindenwood … scored five rushing touchdowns in 2018.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State senior running back Josh Caldwell has been honored as this week’s MIAA co-offensive player of the week. Caldwell shared the honor with Emporia State quarterback Braxton Marstall.

Caldwell (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) rushed for 182 yards and scored four touchdowns in Northwest’s 48-21 road victory over Central Missouri.

On the first drive of the game, Caldwell carried three times for 52 yards and eventually scored on a 1-yard run with 12:58 left in the first quarter.

He scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard screen pass from Braden Wright with 7:19 left in the second quarter.

Caldwell burst through for a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give Northwest a 31-0 lead over UCM.

Caldwell scored his final touchdown of the game on a 22-yard run with 1:41 left in the third quarter giving the Bearcats a commanding 45-0 lead over the Mules. Caldwell tallied 206 all-purpose yards vs. the Mules.

Caldwell recorded his first 100-yard rushing game for the Bearcats after posting 15 for Missouri Western from 2015-2017.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State will meet Grand Valley State at Noon (CT) on Sat., Nov. 17, at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan.

Tickets are available to purchase for Saturday’s NCAA Division II playoff game at Grand Valley State. To obtain tickets in the visiting team block for $18 call the Grand Valley State ticket office at (616) 331-3200.

The game will be broadcast on the Bearcat Radio Network and a video stream will be available on ESPN3.

The winner of Saturday’s game will play the winner of Harding at Ferris State on Sat., Nov. 24.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football team will be the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Super Region Three of the Division II playoffs. Northwest will take on No. 3 seed Grand Valley State on Sat., Nov. 17, in Allendale, Michigan.

Northwest earned its 15th straight bid and 23rd overall appearance in the Division II playoffs. Grand Valley State is making its 19th appearance in the Division II playoffs. Northwest and Grand Valley State have combined to make 16 national championship game appearances and the two programs have won 10 national titles. Northwest owns six national championships (1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016), while Grand Valley State has won four national titles (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006).

The Bearcats and Lakers are the two all-time winningest Division II playoff programs. The Bearcats are 47-16 all-time in the playoffs, while the Lakers are 35-14. North Alabama has also won 35 Division II playoff games.

Northwest and Grand Valley have met five times in the Division II playoffs with the Bearcats owning a 3-2 advantage. Grand Valley State defeated Northwest in the national title games in 2005 (21-17) and 2006 (17-14). Since then, Northwest has won the final three matchups. In 2007, Northwest scored a 34-16 win over Grand Valley in the semifinals in Maryville, Missouri. Northwest won the 2009 national title with a triumph over Grand Valley (30-23). The Bearcats scored a 27-13 victory over the Lakers in the 2013 national semifinals in Bearcat Stadium.

Northwest is 9-2 on the season and shared the MIAA regular season title with Fort Hays State. Grand Valley State is 10-1 overall and went 7-1 in the GLIAC to place second in the league.

— Northwest Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcat men’s basketball team improved to 4-0 with an 84-59 win over Winona State in the HIllyard Tipoff Classic at Civic Arena.

Northwest began the game on an 18-3 spurt and led 46-23 at the break. The Bearcats buried 10-of-21 three-point shots in the opening 20 minutes. For the game, Northwest drained 16 triples.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins stuffed his stat sheet with 25 points and 11 assists in leading the Bearcats to their 25th straight win on a neutral floor.

Senior Joey Witthus scored a season-high 21 points. Witthus buried six three-pointers against Winona State.

Northwest will open its home season Friday at 7 p.m. against Truman State.

NOTES: It marked Northwest’s 19th straight win in the month of November … Hudgins is averaging a team-best 23.5 points per game and is shooting 55.7 percent from the field … Ryan Hawkins has made 17 three-pointers in the first four games and is shooting 51.5 percent from 3-point range while averaging 16.8 points per game.

— Northwest Athletics —

WARRENSBURG, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football team claimed a share of the program’s 29th MIAA title with a 48-21 whitewashing of the Central Missouri Mules at Walton Stadium.

Senior running back Josh Caldwell scored four touchdowns and surpassed 100 yards on the ground for the first time as a Bearcat in the victory. Caldwell rushed for three scores (1, 34, 22) and caught another (20). Caldwell rushed for 182 yards on 15 carries. Caldwell caught two passes for 24 yards. Caldwell tallied a team-best 206 all-purpose yards.

Northwest put up 517 yards of total offense. The Bearcats gained 281 on the ground and 236 through the air. The Bearcats piled up 42:13 of time of possession and ran 88 total plays.

Central Missouri came into the contest averaging 494.1 yards per game which was tops in the MIAA and No. 11 in the nation. The Bearcats held the Mules to 187 total yards. UCM was also averaging 36.1 points per game. UCM had 10 first downs and ran only 53 total plays.

The Bearcats built a 45-0 lead through three quarters before the Mules found the end zone for a trio of cosmetic touchdowns in the fourth.

Northwest moves to 9-2 on the season, while Central Missouri falls to 5-6 on the year. Northwest will share the MIAA regular season title with Fort Hays State.

The 2018 NCAA Division II playoff selection show will air on Sunday at 4 p.m. on www.NCAA.com. The Division II playoffs will begin Sat., Nov. 17, at campus sites.

NOTES: Josh Caldwell had 15 100-yard rushing games for Missouri Western before surpassing the 100-yard mark for the first time in a Bearcat uniform … Northwest has won five of the last six MIAA regular season titles … Northwest has defeated Central Missouri six straight times … Braden Wright passed for 236 yards on 21-of-32 passing with three touchdowns … Wright connected with 10 different Bearcat receivers … Parker Sampson made two field goals (44, 30) … Jack Richards collected six tackles and an interception … Brody Buck picked off a pass and returned it 31 yards to set up a first-quarter touchdown … Nick Hess recovered a fumble … Spencer Phillips and Zach Howard combined for Northwest’s only sack of the game.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team fell to Minnesota Crookston in a neutral site game in Wayne, Nebraska Saturday, 79-71.

The Bearcats leading scorer was Kendey Eaton with 26. Kaylani Maiava had 12 and Jaelyn Haggard had 10 points. Haggard also led the team in assists with 4. Mallory McConkey led the team with 7 rebounds. The Bearcats led in bench points 21-2.

Kylie Post led Minnesota Crookston in points and assists with 21 and 4. The Golden Eagles had 3 other players score double digit points. They were Isieoma Odor with 19, Caitlin Michaelis with 15, and Paige Weakley who had 13 and went a perfect 3-3 from the three-point line. Minnesota Crookston used their size to outscore Northwest 40-26 in the paint.

Northwest will play their home opener Wednesday, Nov. 14 vs. College of Saint Mary (Neb.) at 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —