MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright has announced the Bearcats’ 2018 signing day class. This year’s class includes 38 new players for the 2018 roster. There are two junior college transfers and 36 high school seniors who signed on Wednesday. There are 15 student-athletes from Missouri, six from Nebraska, five from Iowa, four from Kansas, three from Florida and Illinois and one each from Arkansas and California.

Joe Barnes (DB – Liberty HS; Kansas City, Mo. – 5-9, 180)

Was an all-state performer at Liberty HS for coach Chad Frigon … was an All-Simone Team member as a senior … set the Liberty High School record for tackles … was the 2017 Conference Player of the Year … was named Academic All-State in 2016 … parents are Kristy and Joe Barnes.

JD Benbow (TE – Staley HS; Kansas City, Mo. – 6-2, 220)

Was a first team all-state performer at Staley HS for coach Phil Lite … earned first team all-district and first team all-conference honors … was named to the All-Simone Team … parents are Vicki Bellanti and James W. Benbow.

Andrew Blum (LB – Glenwood Senior HS; Glenwood, Iowa – 6-3, 205)

Selected to the Iowa Shrine Bowl … three-time all-county performer for coach Cory Faust … served as team captain senior year … earned three all-district honors including first-team honors as a senior … named academic all-conference and all-district … member of the National Honor Society … 2017 Wendy’s High School Heisman State Finalist … 4.0 Academic Honor Roll … parents are Dave and Chris Blum.

Blake Brown (WR – Blue Valley HS; Stilwell, Kan. – 6-1, 182)

All-state wide receiver at Blue Valley HS for coach Allen Terrell … second team All-EKL performer Brent Robertson teammate of the Year award … Principal’s Honor Roll … member of the National Honor Society … parents are Russ and Meghan Brown.

Ryan Dewhirst (TE – Rock Port HS; Rockport, Mo. – 6-2, 230)

All state tight end and defensive end for head coach Ross Hastert at Rock Port HS … helped lead team to back-to-back conference titles … voted team’s offensive MVP … three time letter recipient … named Football academic all state … named track academic all-state … member of the National Honor Society … parents are Richard and Linda Dewhirst.

Karson Dickson (DL – Bruning-Davenport/Shickley HS; Carleton, Neb. – 6-3, 220)

Was a two-time state champion for head coaches Chris Ardissono and Mark Rotter at Bruning-Davenport HS … was a first-team all-state performer as a senior … helped lead his team to a track and field runner-up finish at state … also played basketball and helped lead his team to a fourth-place state finish in 2015 … parents are Kevin and Jodi Dickson.

Tevin Eckwood (DB – Har-Ber HS; Springdale, Ark. – 5-11, 160)

Was a two-time all-state honoree at Har-Ber HS for coach Chris Wood … was a 7x MaxPreps Player of the Game … parents are Theron Eckwood and Tyra Eckwood.

Hunter Gerths (OL – Ellsworth CC; Albia, Iowa – 6-5, 270)

Played at Ellsworth Community College … first team All-State performer at Albia HS … named first team all-conference … voted team’s best offensive lineman … earned Iron Man award for best attendance in weight room and most improvements in strength … voted hardest hitter by team … played for coach Jerry Staton … parents are John and Heather Gerths and Mike and Heather Hindman.

Mitch Goff (OL – Dowling Catholic HS; Des Moines, Iowa – 6-3, 280)

Was a first team all-state elite performer at Dowling Catholic for coach Tom Wilson … was named first team all-district as a senior … earned academic recognition in football and baseball … parents are David and Shelly Goff.

Walker Graves (DL – Chillicothe HS; Chillicothe, Mo. – 6-3, 309)

A three-year all-state performer at Chillicothe HS for coach Phil Willard … earned all-conference honors four years and was all-district three years … named to the KKWR/KRNR All-Star team three years … the KMZU Defensive Player of the Year twice … four year varsity starter in basketball and qualified for state track and field three times … member of the National Honors Society … four year Principals honor roll … Academic all-state in track and football three years … parents are Jason and Andrea Graves.

Giavonni Guido (ATH – Millard West HS; Omaha, Neb. – 6-0, 160)

Was a first team all-metro and the all-metro coaches player of the year at Millard West HS for coach Kirk Peterson … parents are Teri and Perry Guido.

LaTroy Harper (WR – Penney HS; Hamilton, Mo. – 6-1, 185)

Was a first team all-state and Class One Offensive Player of the Year at Penney HS for coach Caleb Obert … was named an all-district and all conference performer by multiple publications … helped lead his team to a 2016 State title … also an all-state selection in basketball and holds the school record in the high jump … member of the National Honors Society … parents are Telly and Angi Harper.

Lonell Harris (DB – St. Augustine HS; St. Augustine, Fla. – 6-1, 165)

Was an all-conference and all district performer for St. Augustine HS … earned the team’s Top Jacket Award … was named second team all-district as a junior … played for head coach Brian Braddock … parents are Cameron and Demetria Harris.

Cole Hembrough (TE – Glenwood HS; Chatham, Ill. – 6-3, 220)

An all-state performer for coach David Hay at Glenwood HS … earned all-conference honors and served as team captain as a senior … selected Academic All-State … parents are Stacey and Roy Gilmore.

Thomas Henrichs (P – Liberty HS; Liberty, Mo. – 6 -4, 196)

Was a first team all-state punter at Liberty HS for coach Chad Frigon … was a first team all-conference punter and quarterback as a senior … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior at quarterback … named first team all-conference as a pitcher and was an all-state honorable mention performer … given the football academic award for three seasons … parents are John and Kelly Henrichs.

Noah Hilton (DL – Ralston HS; Omaha, Neb. – 6-4, 240)

Was a three-year letter winner at Ralston HS for coach Jason Fink … also lettered in wrestling four years … was part of the football and wrestling leadership counsel … named academic all-conference all four years in football, wrestling and baseball … parents are Ann and Chad Hilton.

Mike Hohensee (QB – St. Charles North HS; Saint Charles, Ill. – 6-2, 210)

Was a first team all-state performer at St. Charles North HS for coach Robert Pomazak … was named conference MVP and also earned all-area honors … was the Chicago Bears’ Player of the Week … parents are Mike and Deb Hohensee.

Zach Howard (DL – Bolivar HS; Bolivar, Mo. – 6-3, 310)

Was an all-state performer at Boliver HS for coach Glen Johnson … earned all-conference honors three times and was a two-time all-district performer … named first-team all-region twice … was also named first team all-district in baseball … member of the National Honor Society … was on the Academic Honor Roll … parents are Matthew and Erin Howard.

Devan Jackson (OL – Worth County HS; Grant City, Mo. – 6-5, 300)

First team all-state performer at Worth County HS for coach Chris Healy … first team all-district and all conference as a senior … named first team All-News Press … helped lead his team to the 8-man state title in 2017 … parents are Dennis and Jina Jackson.

Eann Johnson (DB – Robinson HS ; Tampa, Fla. – 5-11, 180)

Was a two-time all-county selection at Robinson HS for coach Shawn Taylor … parents are Renee and Scott Johnson.

Drake Kinsella (DL – Worth County HS; Grant City, Mo. – 6-3, 230)

Plead for coach Chris Healy at Worth County R-III HS … named all state three years on the defensive line and twice on the offensive line … helped lead team to 2017 State Championship … three-time all-district and three-time all-district performer … three-time all conference performer … named first team all-state, all-district and all-conference in basketball … went to state in the shot put … parents are Larry and Janet Kinsella.

Jackson Likens (K – Blue Valley HS; Stilwell, Kan. – 5-11, 184)

Was a first-team all-state kicker at Blue Valley High School for coach Allen Terrell … was named to the All-USA Kansas team by USA Today … was a first team all-conference performer, leading the team in field goals, PAT percentage, scoring and kickoffs as a senior … earned honorable mention all-state accolades as a junior … Principal’s Honor Roll … member of National Honors Society … parents are Brad and Janae Likens.

Grant Matthies (TE – Creighton Preparatory; Omaha, Neb. – 6-3, 215)

Was a two-time all-metro and an all-state performer at Creighton Prep for coach Tim Johnk … parents are Brett Matthies and Marsha Matthies.

Tyler Miller (DL – Staley HS; Kansas City, Mo. – 6-3, 238)

Was a two-year first team all-state performer at Staley HS for coach Phil Lite … earned first team all-district and first team all-conference awards during junior and senior years … was named to the All-Simone team in 2017 … helped win 2017 Class 5 state title … was also an all-conference and all-district performer in track … was a second-team all-conference performer in wrestling … member of the National Honors Society … first team all-state academic performer … parents are Darrell and Susan Miller.

Matt Murphy (DB – Lincoln Way West HS; New Lenox, Ill. – 6-0, 175)

Was an all-state defensive back at Lincoln Way West HS for coach Dave Ernst … was a three-time all-conference performer … named all-area by multiple publications … member of the National Honors Society … parents are Paula and Brian Murphy.

Peyton Plunkett (LB – Palmyra HS; Palmyra, Mo. – 6-2, 205)

Was a first team all-state selection at Palmyra HS for coach Kevin Miles … named all-district and was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 … was an all-area linebacker as a senior … also an all-district and all-conference performer in baseball and basketball … member of FCA … served as junior class president … named to the honor roll all four years … parents are Justyn and Camille Plunkett.

Riley Prachar (DL – Venice Senior HS; Venice, Fla. – 6-4, 240)

Helped lead his team to a Class 7A state title as a senior at Venice HS for coach John Peacock … was the district leader in sacks and finished fifth in total tackles … went 36-4 in three seasons … holds a 3.8 GPA … parents are Paul and Travis Prachar.

Cameron Purvis (RB – Omaha Northwest HS; Omaha, Neb. – 5-10.5, 175)

Was an all-state honorable mention performer at Omaha Northwest HS for coach Steve Warren … selected to the 2017 River Battle Bowl All-Star game … earned four football letters and was a two-time team captain … given the 2017 Omaha Westside Kiwanis Sports Leadership Award … parents are Edward and Candace Purvis.

Robert Rawie (RB – Liberty HS; Liberty, Mo. – 6-0, 175)

Was a two-time all-state running back at Liberty HS for coach Chad Frigon … was named to the All-Simone team as a senior … named All-Metro twice … first team all-conference and was voted the Conference Player of the Year … was also named all-state in track and field … named to the football academic honor roll … A+ program participant … parents are Doug and Cindy Rawie.

Nijel Roberts (WR – Blue Valley North HS; Overland Park, Kan. – 6-0, 160)

Was an all-state performer at Blue Valley North HS for coach Andy Sims … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a wide receiver and was a second-team all-state honoree as a defensive back … qualified for state track and field twice … parents are Jeremy and Felisha Roberts.

AJ Sieh (OL – AHSTW HS; Avoca, Iowa – 6-4, 300)

Played for head coach Davis Pattee at AHSTW HS … was a three-time all-state honoree, earning second team accolades as a junior and again as a senior … named first team all-district as a senior … member of National Honor Society … parents are Alan & Bobbi Sieh.

Isaiah Strayhorn (RB – Southwestern CC; Chula Vista, Calif. – 5-10, 205)

All-conference running back at Southwestern CC for head coach Ed Carberry … rushed for 920 yards and 14 touchdowns … rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns against College of the Desert … played high school at Eastlake HS … parents are Tammy and David Strayhorn.

Mason Sullivan (OL – Lincoln HS; Lincoln, Neb. – 6-0, 258)

Was an all-state honorable mention offensive lineman at Lincoln HS for coach Mark Macke … was named all-city as a senior … received the Dennis K. Meyer Memorial Scholarship in 2017 … also placed at state in powerlifting … named to the academic honor roll … parents are Heather Sullivan and Joe Sullivan.

Isaac Vollstedt (LB – Regina HS; Iowa City, Iowa – 6-1, 205)

Two-time state champion at Regina High School for coach Marv Cook … played in four-consecutive state title games … first team all-district twice and was the Iowa Newspaper Association’s First-Team All-State selection as a utility player … also won a state title in 2017 in soccer … is a three-year starter on the soccer team … earned the Iowa Excellence in Academic Achievement Award three times … given the 2016 Outstanding Youth Service Award … parents are Doug and Sandy Vollstedt.

Tre Wheaton (WR – Blue Springs HS; Blue Springs, Mo. – 6-1, 175)

Was a first team all-conference performer at Blue Springs HS for coach Kelly Donohoe … also earned all-district honors … parents are Sheree Wheaton and Sean Wheaton.

Nyjel White (OL – Hickman HS; Columbia, Mo. – 6-4, 265)

Was an all-state performer at Hickman High School for coach Trevor Rubly … earned all-district honors as a senior and was vote the team’s offensive MVP … parents are Keisha White and Albert White.

Javon Williams (DB – Grandview HS; Grandview, Mo. – 6-0, 175)

Was a first team all-state performer at Grandview HS for coach Jeremie Picard … earned first team all-conference and first team all-district honors as a senior … voted team MVP as a senior … named the 2017 Jackson County Advocate Defensive Player of the Year … is also a two-time all-conference performer in baseball … on the Principal’s Honor Roll and was awarded Perfect Attendance … parents are Amy Younce and Daniel Herron.

Seth Zegunis (OL – Olathe Northwest HS; Lenexa, Kan. – 6-4, 285)

Was a first team all-state performer at Olathe Northwest HS for coach Chip Sherman … named first team all-league … was a 2016 NAIA Champion of Character … parents are Mike and Nikole Zegunis.

— Northwest Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University’s Hiba Mahgoub has been named the MIAA co-Track Student-Athlete of the Week in a release by the conference office on Tuesday. Mahgoub won the 400 meter dash this weekend in Mankato, Minn.

Mahgoub’s time of 55.63 is the sixth fastest time in the NCAA this year and is the second fastest time in Northwest history. The Bearcats head to South Dakota State this Friday and Saturday.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Arkansas-Fort Smith, 11-3, on Monday at Crowder Field in Fort Smith, Ark.

The Bearcats are now 0-3 overall on the year while the Lions improve to 3-0.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored all three runs in the seventh inning. UAFS scored two in the first, six in the third, one in the fourth and two in the seventh.

– The Bearcats finished with three runs on three hits with three errors. The Lions had 11 runs on 11 hits with two errors.

– Alixon Herrera was 3-for-4 with a run scored.

– Jay Hrdlicka went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

– Nick Howard picked up an RBI and also scored a run.

– Kevin Handzlik, Landon Figg and Luke Hassman all drew walks in the game.

– Nathan Russell worked 3.1 innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out three and did not issue a walk.

Key Northwest Innings
– Northwest got on the board in the seventh. Hrdlicka started the rally with a single up the middle and went to second on a balk. Herrera followed that with a single to put runners on the corners. Howard was called upon to pinch hit and reached on an error by the first baseman. On the play, Hrdlicka and Herrera both came around to score as the second baseman was also charged with an error, allowing Howard to reach third safely. After an out, Rycraft hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Howard for Northwest’s third run.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Lynn College on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. in Batesville, Ark.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Arkansas-Fort Smith, 11-1, on Sunday at Crowder Field in Fort Smith, Ark.

The Bearcats are now 0-2 overall on the year while the Lions improve to 2-0.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the sixth inning. UAFS had two in the second, three in the fifth, two in the sixth and four in the seventh.

– The Bearcats had one run on four hits with two errors. Arkansas-Fort Smith had 11 runs on 13 hits with no errors.

– Mondesi Gutierrez was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

– Landon Figg had a double, going 1-for-3.

– Kevin Handzlik went 1-for-3 with a walk.

– Luke Hassman drove in Northwest’s run in the sixth.

– Jay Hrdlicka and Luke Wilkinson each reached base on walks.

– Brad Roberts went five innings, allowing five runs. He struck out six batters and walked three.

Key Northwest Innings
– In the sixth, Gutierrez led off with a single to center. Figg doubled to left in the next at bat to put runners on second and third. Hassman grounded out to third but Gutierrez was able to score on the play.

Up Next
– The final game of the three-game series is scheduled for Monday afternoon at 3 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team defeated Lindenwood University, 78-58, on Saturday at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Mo.

– Northwest improves to 19-2 overall and 11-2 in MIAA play. The Lions fall to 14-9 overall and 6-8 in conference action.

– With the win, the Bearcats set the MIAA record with their 48th straight home victory, dating back to Jan. 14, 2015.

– The previous mark of 47 straight home victories was held by Central Missouri from Nov. 20, 1982 until Feb. 16, 1985.

– Joey Witthus surpassed 1,000 career points early in the second half. Witthus scored 782 points in two seasons at Minnesota State and now has 229 points this season.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats shot 59.6 percent from the field (31-52) and hit 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) three point field goal attempts.

– Northwest outrebounded the Lions, 37-26, and held a 40-22 advantage in points in the paint.

– Brett Dougherty had a team-high 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The senior forward added three rebounds and three assists.

– Witthus did not miss a shot, scoring 16 points on 5-of-5 shooting. He hit all three of his three-point attempts and was 3-for-3 at the charity stripe. He had eight rebounds and a blocked shot.

– Justin Pitts scored 13 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

– Ryan Hawkins reached double figures for the second-straight game, recording 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting. He hit two three pointers, grabbed five rebounds and added an assist.

– Chris-Ebou Ndow had nine points with five rebounds and an assist.

Key Northwest Sequence
– Lindenwood held the lead for the first 20 second of the game, hitting the game’s first shot. Northwest promptly responded by scoring 11 of the next 13 points to take hold of a lead it would not relinquish.

– Late in the first half, Northwest held a 14 point lead but added an exclamation point in the final four minutes by going on a 13-0 run. Brett Dougherty hit back-to-back shots to push the lead to 36-18. Ndow would connect on a three pointer with 2:32 to play. After Dougherty hit a layup to push the lead to 23, Witthus got off a last second shot that dropped to give the Bearcats a 43-18 lead at halftime. Out of the break, Pitts converted a back-door layup off a feed from Dougherty to give Northwest a 27 point lead, 45-18.

Up Next
– Northwest will head to Emporia State on Wednesday, Feb. 7, for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Hornets.

— Northwest Athletics —

– The Northwest Missouri State University women’s basketball team fell to Lindenwood University, 84-56, on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Mo.

– Northwest falls to 3-18 overall and 2-11 in MIAA play. The Lions improve to 12-11 overall and 4-10 in conference action.

– Tanya Meyer had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bearcats.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest forced 13 Lindenwood turnovers and scored 16 points off those mistakes.

– The Bearcats outscored the Lions, 27-23, in the third quarter.

– Northwest grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and finished with 16 second chance points.

– The Bearcats were 6-for-7 at the charity stripe.

– Mallory McAndrews hit five three pointers and finished with 15 points and two steals.

– Jaelyn Haggard and Macy Williams each had a game-high four assists.

– Kaylani Maiava had eight points with five rebounds, a block and a steal.

– Mallory McConkey had five rebounds, four points and an assist.

Up Next
– Northwest will head to Emporia State on Wednesday, Feb. 7, for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff against the Hornets.

— Northwest Athletics —

By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Oh, there was a chance that Northwest Missouri State’s men’s basketball team could have blown an 18-point halftime lead Thursday evening against Lincoln University, a blue moon chance.

After all, the rare blue moon that occurred a couple of days ago, is actually going to happen again in March. If blue moons happened that often, the saying once in a blue moon would have never become a common saying.

Northwest made sure there wasn’t going to be a blue moon occurrence at Bearcat Arena. Northwest was playing too well to have major collapse in the second half. The Bearcats beat Lincoln 76-43 and improved to 18-2 overall and 10-2 in the MIAA.

“It was important to play well in the second half,” said Northwest senior Chris-Ebou Ndow, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. “We have a tendency when we have a big lead to relax. We can’t afford that no matter who we are playing. The tournament is right around the corner. We can’t afford to have any slippage at any point in the game.”

By the way, Ndow said he has heard the blue moon saying, but didn’t know what it meant.

“I’m from Norway,” he said.

Freshman Ryan Hawkins knew what once in a blue moon means, but Northwest coach Ben McCollum said he didn’t.

“I know what a red moon means,” McCollum said.

Well, in the first half, the Bearcats were red hot at times.

In building a 45-27 halftime lead, the Bearcats started on fire from three-point range. And in the final 7 minutes of the first half, Northwest played its trademark team basketball and that significantly diminished Lincoln’s slim hopes of pulling off an upset.

Senior Justin Pitts, who finished with 20 points, started off blazing hot. He knocked down two long three-pointers that quickly wiped out Northwest’s only deficit of 5-0. After Pitts’ bombs, Ndow drained a three-pointer, making it 9-5.

The Bearcats’ first five field goals were three-pointers. Northwest then showed Lincoln it can score in the paint. The inside basket came on a thunderous dunk by Ndow that gave the Bearcats a 17-7 lead.

A blowout looked imminent. The Blue Tigers had other ideas. They do have blue in their nickname. Lincoln closed to 23-18, and that was when freshman Ryan Hawkins stabbed the Blue Tigers with a three-point dagger. It signaled that Hawkins was on his game.

From that point on, Northwest played some beautiful team basketball. One play came with the Bearcats up 26-21. Hawkins, cutting to the basket, received a pass from senior Brett Dougherty. Hawkins made a reverse layup.

On the next possession, Hawkins was behind the three-point arc when he received a pass from Pitts. Hawkins drilled a three-pointer, increasing Northwest’s lead to 31-21.

“It is nice being on a team where everybody is unselfish,” said Hawkins, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. “We have so many guys who can score the ball so there is no way they can key on five different people. They have to pick and chose and we exploit the mismatches.”

Northwest started to pull away in the final 4 minutes. A NBA-range, rainbow three-pointer by Pitts gave Northwest a 36-25 lead. Hawkins followed with a three-pointer off an assist from Pitts. Next was Ndow who benefitted from a Pitts pass. His two-point field goal increased Northwest’s lead to 41-25. Pitts concluded the 10-0 run with two free throws, making it 43-25.

“We just paid attention to the details,” Ndow said. “We came ready to play, but we didn’t pay attention to the details and the small things in the scouting report. After a timeout, coach told us we weren’t necessarily playing bad; we just had to do the little things to get ourselves on a run. We were able to do that with five minutes left.”

Simply put, the Bearcats gave a clinic on team basketball. Twelve of their 15 field goals came on assists. It was a big reason Northwest shot 50 percent from the field in the first half.

“I think our team shares the ball as good as anybody in the country,” McCollum said. “The thing we get a lot that goes unnoticed is what I call the hockey assist, the pass before the pass that leads to a basket. Our guys share the ball so much. A hockey assist to me is just as important as the statistic assist. I think sometimes assists can be selfish as well because you are trying to gather assists. Our guys it is just an extra pass. They do it naturally. They don’t pay attention to assists at all.”

Pitts and Hawkins led the way in the first half. Pitts went six for nine from the field for 18 points and Hawkins was four for five and had 11 points.

Northwest never allowed Lincoln back in the game in the second half. There was no drama, only a demonstration of how to play with a big lead.

The Bearcats will look to increase their winning streak to four Saturday when they take on Lindenwood at 3:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —

By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Fresh off its first conference victory of the season, Northwest Missouri State’s women’s basketball team was determined to start a winning streak. Clinging to a one-point lead in the final two minutes, the Bearcats showed grit down the stretch.

And when junior Mallory McAndrews knocked down two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to give Northwest a three-point lead, the confident Bearcats knew they had the necessary cushion for a 61-60 victory over Lincoln University Thursday evening at Bearcat Arena.

“I am honestly proud of this team,” said freshman point guard Jaelyn Haggard, who finished with 11 points. “We are definitely improving. I see a lot of success coming in our future.”

The Bearcats want to keep rolling when they return to action 1:30 p.m. Saturday at home against Lindenwood. Northwest, Missouri Western, Lindenwood and Lincoln are all battling for the final two spots in the MIAA Tournament.

“We were able to build on the last win we had against Mo. West, and hopefully that will keep the energy going on Saturday,” said senior Tanya Meyer, who finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

“We want to compete with Lindenwood on Saturday. We are all fighting for the last two spots. Getting this win going into Saturday was big momentum boost for us.”

Northwest appeared to be in control midway through the fourth quarter Meyer hit a three-pointer followed by a two-point bucket by her that pushed the lead to 56-47 for the Bearcats.

In a move of desperation, Lincoln went to a full-court press and it worked. The Blue Tigers created numerous turnovers and turned them into points. Lincoln scored the next 11 and took a 58-56 lead with 3:35 left in the game.

Twenty seconds later, Northwest tied the game on two free throws by Meyer. Neither team could muster any offense in the final 3 minutes.

But Northwest regained the lead with 1:52 left on a three throw by junior Kaylani Maiava.

In the final 90 seconds, Northwest needed to play strong defense as the Blue Tigers had numerous opportunities to go ahead. One of those opportunities came with 28 seconds left. Northwest was clinging to a 59-58 lead. The Bearcats caused Lincoln to take a tough, contested shot in the paint.

The Blue Tigers missed. Maiava grabbed the rebound with 22 seconds left.

“We responded really well with good stops defensively,” Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. “The ball pressure is going to come against us. We just have to get better handling it and continue to go.”

An over-and-back call against Northwest with 20 seconds left forced the Bearcats to play defense one more time with a slim one-point lead.

And the Bearcats succeeded again, getting a steal with 14 seconds left. Four seconds later, McAndrews dropped in the game-winning free throws.

“I thought it was really important that we got stops on defense,” Haggard said. “It was really crucial, especially at the end of the game. The score was so close. Just to be able to come down on defense and hold them to shooting deep threes was really important for us.”

A hot start by Meyer, coupled with some clutching shooting in the second quarter, sent Northwest into halftime with a 37-28 lead.

Meyer scored the first seven points of the game, staking the Bearcats to a nice early lead. When Lincoln closed to 9-6, Northwest quickly regained command on consecutive three-pointers from McAndrews and Meyer.

The Blue Tigers chipped away again and trailed 20-16 after the first quarter. Lincoln tied the game at 22-22 early in the second quarter.

Northwest didn’t allow Lincoln to take a lead. The Bearcats built their lead to five on a basket by Haggard. A few minutes later, Haggard drilled a three-pointer, increasing Northwest’s lead to 33-24. The Bearcats maintained their nine-point advantage the rest of the second quarter.

Meyer led the way for Northwest in the first half, scoring 17 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Haggard added eight points as the Bearcats shot 47 percent from the field.

— Northwest Athletics —

By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

HAYS, Kan. – Northwest Missouri State’s men’s basketball entered the historic Gross Memorial Coliseum early Saturday evening against Fort Hays State, facing its most adversity since December 2015 when it lost consecutive conference games just before Christmas break.

The Bearcats were coming off a tough loss on Thursday at Nebraska-Kearney, and senior point guard Justin Pitts suffered a mild concussion.

Before tipoff, the Northwest players knew they wouldn’t have Pitts, the school’s all-time leading scorer and reigning Division II Player of the Year.

As good as Pitts is, Northwest has never relied on one player to win games. The Bearcats proved it once again with a hard-fought 72-67 victory. The win lifted Northwest to 16-2 overall and 8-2 in the MIAA.

“This was big,” Northwest senior Brett Dougherty said. “We could have hung our heads and got upset about the loss and Justin, too. You can start making excuses. But that is not what we did. All the tough situations we have been through we know to keep our heads up and have that positivity.”

Northwest never trailed in the second half, but there were definitely some anxious moments in the final 8 minutes as Fort Hays tried desperately to avoid its first home loss of the season. The Tigers couldn’t rattle Northwest even when they went to a full-court press in the final 2 minutes and the Bearcats were without their play-making point guard.

“Justin is obviously the best player in Division II,” said Northwest senior Chris-Ebou Ndow, who finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds. “But we pride ourselves on being a great team. It is not just one player on the offensive end and one player on the defensive end. It is a team collection.

“We showed it today that without the best player we can grind away a win.”

The Bearcats appeared to be in total control the first 10 minutes in the second half. When Fort Hays closed to 41-32, junior Joey Witthus knocked down a three-pointer. A few minutes later, Witthus gave Northwest a 50-36 lead with another trey.

Those two treys showed the air ball Witthus shot a few minutes earlier had no affect on him. Another example of overcoming adversity.

“I remember one point in the game, Chris passed me the ball on the wing and I didn’t take the shot,” said Witthus, who finished with 15 points. “He was yelling at me to shoot it, shoot it. Everyone has confidence in each other and trust each other. No matter if you make a mistake, you still got to go out there and play your game.”

Fort Hays, which dropped to 12-6 and 5-4, battled back when it trailed 51-41 with less than 10 minutes remaining. With 6:30 left, the Tigers stared at a 53-48 deficit. Northwest responded with a strong inside basket from senior Brett Dougherty.

After a free throw by Fort Hays, Dougherty knocked down another tough basket in the paint, increasing Northwest’s lead to 57-49 with just over 5 minutes left.

“If they are on our shooters and I am 1-on-1, my teammates have a lot of confidence in me to go out and score,” said Dougherty, who finished with 13 points.

Fort Hays battled back once again. The Tigers trailed only 57-53 with 3:30 left. Witthus pushed the lead back to six on two free throws but then he fouled out with 3 minutes remaining.

Northwest’s lead slipped to four with 2:36 when Kyler Kinnamon drove inside for a layup, making it 60-56.

Thirty seconds later, when Northwest needed two free throws, Dougherty stepped to the line and made both to give Northwest a 63-56 lead. Dougherty was one for six from the free throw line before he made those two. Dougherty showed he was able to overcome adversity.

“It was big just from a confidence standpoint,” Dougherty said. “Obviously, my confidence wasn’t very high at that point. We knew we had to hit some free throws down the stretch. We didn’t do a great job of it, but everyone counts.”

Strong defense and a patient offense propelled Northwest to a 33-20 halftime lead.

“We played really well,” Witthus said. “I think the biggest thing tonight, which was good to see was we came out and competed. We made some mistakes, but we competed the whole game. That is what we have to keep doing moving forward.”

The Bearcats only trailed 2-0 and 5-2 in the first half. Three straight free throws by sophomore Ryan Welty quickly erased the puny deficit. Northwest followed those points with a basket from Dougherty and another by senior Xavier Kurth.

Northwest took an 11-10 lead into the first media timeout and wasted little time increasing its advantage to 16-10 on a three-point play by Ndow and another basket by Kurth.

In the slow-paced game, Fort Hays stayed close, pulling to within two at 18-16. Northwest, though, stayed with its game of moving the ball inside on nearly every possession.

The constant threat of inside baskets opened up the outside in the final few minutes in the first half. Leading 24-20, Northwest got back-to-back three-pointers from Welty. Ndow added another trey and pushed the Bearcats’ lead to 13.

The efficiency on offense was one of the keys for Northwest. The Bearcats went 13 for 20 from the field for 65 percent. On defense, Northwest limited Fort Hays to eight field goals.

“It was important for us to come out firing and get off to a good start so we would have our confidence throughout the game,” Ndow said.

— Northwest Athletics —