Bearcats, Lions meet for NCAA Central Region title

Tues., March 19, 7 p.m. | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Mo.No. 1 Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 6 Missouri Southern StateNORTHWEST, MISSOURI SOUTHERN SET FOR REGIONAL FINALThe undefeated Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (34-0 overall) will take on the Missouri Southern State University Lions (25-7 overall) Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the NCAA Central Region final in Bearcat Arena. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight March 27-30 at The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.THREE ELITE EIGHT TRIPSNorthwest is looking for its fourth trip to the Elite Eight. The Bearcats earned Elite Eight berths in 2002, 2004 and 2017. Northwest captured the the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship.It's the fifth regional final for Bearcat head coachNorthwest Results in Regional Finals1989 - L, 89-80 vs. Angelo State2001 - L, 67-61 vs. Washburn2002 - W, 79-73 vs. Rockhurst2004 - W, 62-59 vs. Drury2006 - L, 72-71 vs. Tarleton State2014 - L, 60-59 vs. Central Missouri2015 - L, 47-42 vs. MSU Moorhead2016 - L, 80-78 vs. Augustana2017 - W, 69-61 vs. Southwest Minnesota StateSCORING MACHINESMissouri Southern's Cam Martin and Northwest'shave been scoring machines in the NCAA Central Region games.Martin scored 46 in a 101-100 win over Washburn and then 34 in a 92-83 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State.Witthus poured in 39 points in a 91-62 win over Minnesota State and 29 in a 70-59 victory over Southern Nazarene.LARGEST NCAA VICTORY MARGIN IN SCHOOL HISTORYNorthwest's 29-point win over Minnesota State in the first round fo the NCAA Central Region was the program's largest margin of victory in an NCAA Tournament game.The previous largest margin came in a 25-point win over Ouachita Baptist (78-53) on March 12, 2016.WITTHUS, HUDGINS TALLY ALL-REGION HONORShas earned NCAA Division II Central Region First-Team honors from the CCA.earned second-team all-region status.Witthus, the MIAA player of the year and most outstanding player at the MIAA tournament, is averaging a team-best 21.7 points per game and shooting 51.2 percent from the field. Witthus has buried an-MIAA high 107 three-pointers, and he is shooting 45.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Witthus also leads Northwest in free throws made (150) and his shooting 84.7 percent from the free throw line.Hudgins, the MIAA freshman of the year, is scoring 18.6 points per game and handing out 5.4 assists per game. Hudgins is shooting 53.9 percent from the field, including 48.1 percent from three-point range. Hudgins is making 82.8 percent of his free throws and tied the all-time MIAA record for consecutive free throws made at 36. Hudgins has scored 20 or more points 17 times this season. He has set the Northwest and MIAA freshman scoring record with 631 points.HOME-COURT ADVANTAGENorthwest has enjoyed a tremendous home-court advantage in the last five seasons in Bearcat Arena. Northwest has put together a mark of 65-2 in Bearcat Arena over its last 67 home games. The Bearcats are 16-0 at home this year.Northwest's two home losses in its previous 67 games in Bearcat Arena came vs. Minnesota State (L, 60-50 - March 10, 2018) and vs. Missouri Southern (L, 73-70 - Feb. 17, 2018).The Bearcats are 16-0 at home this year. Northwest's current 16-game home-court win streak ranks as the fourth-longest active current streak in NCAA Division II basketball.Northwest in Bearcat Arena (since 2012-13)2012-13 - 12-32013-14 - 12-12014-15 - 13-22015-16 - 13-02016-17 - 18-02017-18 - 12-22018-19 - 16-0Current Home-Court Win Streaks1. West Texas A&M - 252. Oakland City - 183. Missouri Southern - 174. Northwest Missouri State - 165. St. Edward's - 1419TH NCAA APPEARANCENorthwest is taking part in its 19th NCAA Tournament. It is the Bearcats's seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament for 10th-year head coachNorthwest is 25-20 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with three appearances in the Elite Eight (2001-02, 2003-04, 2016-17).The Bearcats claimed the program's first national championship in the 2016-17 season.JOEY JOINS 1,000-POINT CLUBbecame the 23rd Northwest player to reach 1,000 points in a Bearcat uniform. Witthus has scored 1,087 points for Northwest. Witthus ranks No. 21 on Northwest's all-time scoring listHe tallied 782 points at Minnesota State before transferring prior to the 2017-18 season.Witthus ranks No. 19 among active NCAA Division II scorers with 1,869 points.WITTHUS, HUDGINS NAMED TO BEVO FRANCIS TOP 25 WATCH LISTSmall College Basketball has narrowed down its Watch List for the Bevo Francis Award of 2019 to 25 of the finest men's basketball players in the country who compete in the affiliations of NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division II, USCAA and NCCAA.Northwest Missouri State senior(Chanhassen, Minnesota) and redshirt freshman(Manhattan, Kansas) have both made the list on the cut down to the top 25 players.This marks the fourth season of the Bevo Francis Award, as the award was previously given to Dominez Burnett of Davenport (Mich.) in 2016,of Northwest Missouri State in 2017 and Emanuel Terry of Lincoln Memorial last season.ONLY REMAINING UNDEFEATED IN THE NATIONNorthwest is the only remaining undefeated team in the nation at 34-0 overall. In fact, Northwest is the only undefeated men's basketball program in all of NCAA Division I, II and III.The Bearcats also own the nation's longest active winning streak at 34 in a row.Current Overall Win Streaks (DII)1. Northwest Missouri State 342. West Texas A&M 18Oakland City (Ind.) 184. Augusta 155. Davenport 14BEST START IN PROGRAM HISTORYNorthwest's 34-0 mark to begin the season is the best start to a season in program history.Henry Iba guided Northwest to a perfect 31-0 record in 1929-30 to set the initial Bearcat standard for best starts to a season.Best Starts in School History34-0 - 2018-1931-0 - 1929-3024-0 - 2016-1720-0 - 1931-3220-0 - 1939-40FOURTH TIME REACHING 30 WINSNorthwest has reached the 30-win mark for only the fourth time in program history. Northwest set its single-season win mark in 2016-17 when the Bearcats won 35 games en route to the national championship.With a win Tuesday, Northwest would tie its single-season record for victories with 35.30-Win Seasons35-1 - 2016-1734-0 - 2018-1931-0 - 1929-3031-6 - 1930-31TEAM RECORDS CONTINUE TO GO DOWNNorthwest has set its single-season school records for points, field goals made and most three-pointers made in 2018-19.Northwest has scored 2,853 points besting the previous mark of 2,822 in 2016-17.Northwest has made 1,012 field goals which breaks the old mark of 998 set in 2016-17.The Bearcats have drained 375 three-pointers bettering the previous record of 313 in the 2016-17 season. The 375 three-pointers is also the best single-season mark in MIAA history.MIAA RECORD BOOKNorthwest is looking to challenge one of the oldest records in the MIAA.The Bearcats have a +21.2 scoring margin this season. The MIAA record for scoring margin in a season was set by MIssouri State in the 1959-60 season at +22.3.AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATIONNorthwest ranks No. 1 in the nation in scoring margin (+21.8) and in turnovers per game (7.9)..Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.82).The Bearcats rank No. 3 in and scoring defense (62.1)The Bearcats rank No. 4 in fewest turnovers (267), field goal percentage (.515) and total 3-point field goals made (375)SHOOTING IT WELLNorthwest has shot 50 percent or better from the field in 21 of its 34 games. Northwest has also shot 50 percent or better in six road games and on four neutral courts.EIGHT STRAIGHT 20-WIN YEARSNorthwest is one of five NCAA Division II programs to have reached the 20-win mark for the eighth straight season. Northwest, Bellarmine, Indiana (Pa.), Lincoln Memorial and West Liberty all have won 20 or more games in eight consecutive seasons.It marks the 25th 20-win season in program history.Northwest Coaching 20-Win SeasonsSteve Tappmeyer - 10- 8Hank Iba - 3Lionel Sinn - 3Sparky Stalcup - 1BEARCATS WIN AT A HIGH RATENorthwest has posted a remarkable record of 96-5 (.950 win percentage) over the past three seasons. Northwest went 35-1 in 2016-17, 27-4 in 2017-18 and is 34-0 in 2018-19.29 IN A ROW ON NEUTRAL COURTSNorthwest has won 29 straight games on neutral floors. It is the longest active win streak among all NCAA Div. I, II and III schools.Villanova (Div. I) has won 19 straight, while WashU (Div. III) has won 15 consecutive contests on neutral courts.Northwest's last loss on a neutral floor came Nov. 13, 2015, vs. Upper Iowa (L, 76-72).Current Neutral Win Streaks (DII)1. Northwest Missouri State 292. West Texas A&M 83. Adelphi 74. Rogers State 65. Five teams 5BEARCATS ON THE ROADNorthwest finished a perfect 10-0 on the road in 2018-19 and extended its road win streak to 15 in a row - the longest active streak in the nation.Current Road Win Streaks1. Northwest Missouri State - 152. Queens - 143. Augusta - 9West Liberty - 95. Findlay - 8West Alabama - 8NORTHWEST AT NO. 42 IN MASSEY RATINGSNorthwest is ranked No. 42 among all NCAA collegiate basketball teams in the the Massey Ratings (www.MasseyRatings.com as of March 18).Northwest is the highest rated NCAA Div. II team.TWO 600-POINT SCORERSSeniorand redshirt freshmanhave each surpassed the 600-point scoring mark this season. Witthus has scored a team-best 717 points, which ranks as the second-best single-season total in school history. Witthus needs 37 more points to equalsingle-season school scoring record of 754 points in 2016-17.Hudgins has posted 631 points, which is the fourth-most in a single season.Northwest Points in a Season1.(2017) 7542.(2019) 7173.(2016) 6934.(2019) 6315. Kelvin Parker (2004) 6206. Glenn Phillips (1986) 5997. David Alvey (1976) 5718. DeShaun Cooper (2014) 5639. Glenn Phillips (1987) 548Vic Coleman (1984) 548Northwest Field Goals Made in a Season1.(2017) 2752.(2016) 2533. Glenn Phillips (1986) 2474. Vic Coleman (1983) 2425. Vic Coleman (1984) 2366.(2019) 2357.(2019) 2308. David Alvey (1976) 2159. Joe Hurst (1985) 21010. Kelvin Parker (2004) 208TREV TOPS BEARCAT FROSH SCORING LISTRedshirt freshman point guardhas scored more points as a freshman than any previous freshman player in the history of Bearcat basketball and the MIAA.Hudgins has scored 631 points, besting the previous freshman mark of 482 points byin the 2014-15 season.HUDGINS ONE OF D-II'S TOP FRESHMANHudgins ranks No. 3 in the nation among freshmen scorers (18.6 ppg). Hudgins trails Holy Family's Patrick Robinson (18.7 ppg) and Walsh's J.T. Shumate (19.2 ppg) in freshmen scoring.Hudgins also ranks No. 3 in the nation among freshmen in assists per game (5.4).He has scored 20 or more points in 17 games this season, including a game-high 27 in the MIAA title win over Washburn, 82-53.Hudgins dished out a career-high 12 assists and scored 21 points in a 111-83 win over Pitt State.He ranks No. 4 in the MIAA and No. 10 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.10).HUDGINS'S TIES MIAA CONSECUTIVE FT MARKRedshirt freshmanset the Northwest school record for consecutive free throw makes and tied the all-time MIAA mark with 36.Kelvin Parker held the Northwest record at 35, prior to Hudgins hitting 36 in a row.Hudgins missed his 37th free throw at Central Missouri on Thursday. Hudgins is tied with UCM's Reggie Soward. Soward also made 36 consecutive made free throws from Dec 12, 2004-Jan. 29, 2005.Northern Kentucky's Paul Cluxton holds the NCAA Div. II record with 98 consecutive free throws made in 1997.TREVOR TIES BEARCAT SEASON ASSIST MARKhas dished out a team-best 183 assists on the season, which ties for the best single-season mark in Bearcat history.set the mark with 183 assists in the 2016-17 season.Northwest Assists in a Season1.(2017) 183(2019) 1833. Kelvin Parker (2004) 1744.(2016) 1605.(2016) 1516. James Williams (1984) 1447. Mark Yager (1980) 1438.(2018) 1409. Victor Coleman (1982) 136DeShaun Cooper (2011) 136WITTHUS FINDS HIS GROOVESeniorleads Northwest in scoring (21.7 ppg), three-pointers made (107) and free throws made (150). Witthus tops the MIAA in three-pointers made.Northwest Free Throws Made in a Season1. Scott Fleming (2003) 1872. Scott Fleming (2001) 1713. Scott Fleming (2002) 1584.(2019) 1505. Kelvin Parker (2004) 1496. David Alvey (1977) 1467. David Alvey (1976) 1418. Hunter Henry (2007) 1389. DeShaun Cooper (2014) 13510. Sky Wilson (2004) 134TRIPLE THREAT OF 30-POINT GAMESNorthwest has had three different players score at least 30 points in a game this season.Seniorhas reached the 30-point mark in six games this season. Witthus posted a career-high 39 points vs. Minnesota State (March 16).Northwest's 30-Point Games in 2018-1939,vs. Minnesota State (3/16/19)36,vs. Pittsburg State (1/31/19)34,at Central Oklahoma (1/5/19)33,vs. Ill.-Springfield (11/19/18)32,vs. Emporia State (1/9/18)31,at Northeastern State (1/3/19)30,at Fort Hays State (1/26/19)30,at Lincoln (2/9/19)WITTHUS FILLS IT UP FROM DEEPSeniorhas connected on 107 three-pointers this season to rank as the second-best single-season mark in Bearcat history. Witthus needs one more three-pointers to tiesingle-season school record of 108 three-pointers in the 2017 season.ranks No. 9 with 73 three-pointers this year andranks No. 12 with 71 triples.Northwest 3-Point Field Goals in a Season1.(2017) 1082.(2019) 1073.(2015) 1014.(2016) 91Louis Jones (1989) 916. Alex Sullivan (2013) 847.(2016) 80(2018) 809.(2019) 7310. DeShaun Cooper (2014) 72(2015) 7212.(2019) 7140+ 3-POINTERS FOR NORTHWEST STARTERSEach of the five starters in the Bearcat lineup has drained at least 40 three-pointers this season.(107),(73),(71),(65) and(40) have all drained at least 40 or more three-pointers this year.HAWKINS DOUBLES UPSophomore forwardhas collected a team-best 10 double-doubles. Hawkins has reached double figures in rebounds in 13 games.HAWK TOPS MIAA IN STEALSHawkins leads the MIAA in steals (74). His 74 steals rank No. 10 in the nation and is the tied for the fourth-best single-season total in Bearcat history.Northwest Steals in a Season1. Scott Fleming (2001) 972. Benji Burke (1990) 803. Scott Fleming (2002) 784. Scott Fleming (2000) 74(2019) 746. Gerald Harris (1988) 707. Mose Howard (2006) 69Kelvin Parker (2006) 699. Shakey Harrington (1998) 6710. Orlando Johnson (1993) 66HAWK ON THE BOARDS TOOHawkins ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in rebounding (8.7 rpg). He ranks No. 24 in the nation in defensive rebounds per game (6.97).He ranks No. 15 in the nation in total rebounds (297). His 297 rebounds rank as the second-best single-season total in Northwest history.Hawkins needs eight more rebounds to equal the single-season school record of 305 rebounds by Don Sears in the 1967-68 campaign.Northwest Rebounds in a Season1. Don Sears (1968) 3052.(2019) 2973. Byron Jackson (2004) 2724. Russ Miller (1980) 2485. Joe Hurst (1986) 2466. Joe Hurst (1984) 2387. Hunter Henry (2009) 2358. Hunter Henry (2007) 2349. Hunter Henry (2008) 23310. Bo Pitts (1990) 225DIEGO PROVIDES SCORING PUNCHFreshman guardhas provided a scoring spark for the Bearcats. Bernard is averaging 12.0 points per game and has reached double-figure scoring in 26 of 34 games this season.Bernard tied his career high in scoring with 21 points in Northwest's 86-69 MIAA semifinal tournament victory over Lincoln. He has registered three 20-plus scoring games this year.A PAIR OF NO. 1 RANKED TEAMSThe Bernard family of St. Joseph, Missouri, boasts of two No. 1-ranked teams in NCAA Division II basketball. Diego is a freshman guard on the No. 1-ranked men's basketball team at Northwest Missouri State. His sister, Daejah, is a guard on the No. 1-ranked women's basketball team at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Drury is 34-0 on the season.WITTHUS FOR THREESeniorhas drained 302 career three-pointers to rank No. 6 among the Division II active career leaders.Witthus made 137 three-pointers in his first two collegiate seasons at Minnesota State, Mankato. Witthus has made 165 triples in time at Northwest.NCAA Active Career Leaders - 3-Pointers1. Jarrett Brodbeck (Regis) 3762. Jack Laffey (Adelphi) 3373. Jason Jolly (Fairmont State) 3234. Sawyer Glick (Emporia State) 3065.(Northwest Mo.) 3026. Jonathan Lawton (Fla. Southern) 3007. Ryan Boulter (Merrimack) 2978. Elyjah Clark (Missouri Southern) 288Kenny Hairston (Limestone) 28910. Andrew Scott (Oakland City) 284WELTY'S THREE-POINT PRECISIONJunioris the nation's active career leader in three-point field goal percentage. Welty has made 51.4 percent of his three-point shots (178-of-346).NCAA Active Career Leaders - 3-Point FG Pct.1.(Northwest Missouri) .5142. Mikkel Kolstand (Nova Southeastern) .5023. Dan Largey (Stonehill) .4764. Adam Bonk (Wisconsin-Parkside) .4735. Anthony Lee (Kutztown) .468WELTY CLIMBS NORTHWEST'S 3-POINT CHARTJuniorhas made 178 career 3-pointers to ranks No. 5 on Northwest's all-time 3-pointers made chart.has drained 165 from distance to rank No. 8 on Northwest's career list.Northwest 3-Pointers Made in a Career1.(2013-17) 3702.(2014-18) 2713.(2003-06) 2154.(2013-16) 2055.(2016-pres.) 1786. Scott Fleming (2000-03) 1737. DeShaun Cooper (2009-14) 1708.(2017-pres.) 1659. Louis Jones (1987-89) 15610. Kelvin Parker (2001-04) 148MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 6 IN WIN PERCENTAGENorthwest head coachranks No. 6 among active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach.McCollum has guided the Bearcats to a mark of 237-75 (.760 winning percentage) in his 10th season at the helm of the program.NCAA Div. II Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 10 yrs.)1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern) .845 (404-74, 15 yrs.)2. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial) .817 (286-64, 11 yrs.)3. Scott Davenport (Bellarmine) .775 (344-100, 14 yrs.)4. Burt Paddock (Davenport) .769 (286-86, 11 yrs.)5. Jeff Young (Walsh) .766 (356-109, 18 yrs.)6.(Northwest Mo. St.) .760 (237-75, 10 yrs.)7. Ken Ammann (Concordia, Calif.) .759 (465-148, 18 yrs.)8. Rodney Watson (Southern Indiana) .757 (227-73, 10 yrs.)9. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.) .753 (305-100, 13 yrs.)10. Steve Hesser (Drury) .719 (323-126 15 yrs.)BEARCATS OWN MOST MIAA TOURNEY TITLESNorthwest has won an MIAA-best eight tournament titles. Central Missouri is second on the list with six.MIAA Tournament TitlesNorthwest Missouri State - 8Central Missouri - 6Washburn - 5Missouri Western - 4Southeast Missouri State - 4Missouri Southern - 3Southwest Baptist - 2Truman State - 2Fort Hays State - 1Missouri S&T - 1Missouri-St. Louis - 1Nebraska-Omaha - 1Pittsburg State - 1MAC IN MIAA TOURNAMENTNorthwest head coachis 18-4 in the MIAA Tournament. He has guided the Bearcats to five appearances in the finals with four tournament championships.McCollum is also the all-time leader in winning percentage (.818) in MIAA tourney play.SIX STRAIGHT MIAA CROWNSNorthwest became the first school in MIAA history to win six consecutive MIAA regular season titles.The Bearcats were a perfect 19-0 in MIAA games this season, becoming the first league school to finish undefeated since the 1966-67 Missouri State Bears went 10-0.The Bearcats have won 19 MIAA regular season crowns.MIAA Regular Season TitlesCentral Missouri - 21Southwest Missouri State - 19Northwest Missouri State - 19Southeast Missouri State - 12Washburn - 10Truman State - 9Missouri Western - 5Lincoln - 4Southwest Baptist - 4Missouri S&T - 2Missouri Southern - 2Fort Hays State - 1Pittsburg State - 1PERFECT MIAA SEASONNorthwest is the first MIAA school to ever complete the league season 19-0. The 1929-30 Northwest squad finished its MIAA slate at 16-0.Only nine times in the MIAA's history have teams completed a perfect mark in league play.Perfect MIAA SeasonsNorthwest Mo. St. (2018-19) 19-0Northwest Mo. St. (1929-30) 16-0Central Missouri (1937-38) 10-0Northwest Mo. St. (1939-40) 10-0Southeast Mo. St. (1942-43) 8-0Truman State (1947-48) 10-0Missouri State (1951-52) 10-0Missouri State (1965-66) 10-0Missouri State (1966-67) 10-019 WINS IN MIAA PLAYNorthwest matched the MIAA record for wins in a season with its perfect 19-0 league mark.Missouri Southern (2010-11) and Northwest (2015-16) each won 19 MIAA games to set the league standard.Missouri Southern went 19-3 under head coach Robert Korn in 2010-11.Northwest went 19-3 under head coachin 2015-16.MIAA Record for Wins19, Missouri Southern (2010-11)19, Northwest Mo. St. (2015-16)19, Northwest Mo. St. (2018-19)18, Central Missouri (2009-10)18, Northwest Mo. St. (2016-17)17, Southwest Baptist (2008-09)DOUBLE-FIGURE WINS IN MIAA PLAYNorthwest won by double figures in 16 of its 19 MIAA games. The three times Northwest won by single digits in league play came against Lincoln (W, 85-75 - Dec. 6), against Washburn (W, 83-75 - Jan. 12) and vs. Missouri Western (W, 70-68 - Feb. 26).In MIAA play, Northwest had a +19.7 scoring margin. The Bearcats scored 81.7 ppg and gave up 62.0 ppg in MIAA games.CONFERENCE WIN STREAKNorthwest has won 21 consecutive MIAA games dating back to the 2017-18 season. It is the nation's longest active conference winning streak.Northwest set the MIAA record with 28 consecutive league victories from Jan. 13, 2016 through Feb. 23, 2017.Current Conference Win Streaks1. Northwest Missouri State - 212. West Texas A&M - 173. Augusta - 143. Dixie State - 13Davenport - 13Walsh - 13LAST 88 MIAA GAMESNorthwest is 81-7 in its last 88 MIAA games, dating back to the middle of the 2014-15 season, with six of those setbacks coming on the road.In that stretch, Northwest is 42-1 in Bearcat Arena in MIAA matchups with the only setback coming last year against Missouri Southern.FOUR STRAIGHT MIAA TOURNAMENT TITLESUnder the direction of 10th-year head coach, the Bearcats became the first MIAA program to win four consecutive league tournament titles.Northwest in MIAA Title Games1984 - UCM 70, Northwest 651989 - Northwest 82, UCM 771998 - MWSU 65, Northwest 521999 - Truman St. 70, Northwest 682000 - MSSU 90, Northwest 792001 - WU 81, Northwest 742002 - Northwest 71, MWSU 582004 - Northwest 78, WU 712008 - Northwest 57, ESU 512013 - UCM 79, Northwest 76 (OT)2016 - Northwest 61, UNK 532017 - Northwest 69, UCM 612018 - Northwest 80, WU 742019 - Northwest 82, WU 53LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY IN TITLE GAMENorthwest's 29-point victory margin (82-53) over Washburn is the largest ever in an MIAA Tournament championship game.The previous largest margin of victory in a title contest was a 26-point win by Pittsburg State over Missouri Southern in 2015 (91-65).WITTHUS, HUDGINS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMSeniorand redshirt freshmanwere named to the MIAA All-Tournament team. Witthus was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player.Witthus averaged 25.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg in helping Northwes to the title. Witthus buried 10 three-pointers and was 25-of-32 at the free throw line. Witthus scored 23 or more points in each of the three games - including a high of 27 in besting Emporia State, 82-79.Hudgins averaged 21.7 ppg, 6.3 apg and 2.7 spg as Northwest won its fourth straight crown. Hudgins shot 52.2 percent from the field and was 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) from three-point land. Hudgins tallied a tournament-best eight steals, including five against Lincoln in the semifinal triumph, 86-69.Northwest's MOPs at MIAA TournamentKelvin Parker - 2004Hunter Hunry - 2008- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019NO. 1 IN THE NATIONNorthwest is ranked No. 1 in the nation in this week's NABC Division II Top 25 Poll.It is the third straight season that Northwest is ranked No. 1 in the nation.It marks the 23rd time in school history that Northwest has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NABC poll.Northwest was first ranked No. 1 on Jan. 13, 2004.The Bearcats were ranked No. 1 for nine weeks during the 2016-17 season, which saw Northwest finish 35-1 and capture the program's first national title.Northwest was ranked No. 1 in the opening six weeks of the 2017-18 season.Weeks Ranked No. 1 (NABC Top 25)Jan. 13, 2004Dec. 13, 2016Dec. 27, 2016Jan. 3, 2017Jan. 10, 2017Jan. 17, 2017Jan. 24, 2017Jan. 31, 2017Feb. 7, 2017Feb. 14, 2017March 7, 2017Nov. 21, 2017Nov. 28, 2017Dec. 5, 2017Dec. 12, 2017Dec. 26, 2017Jan. 2, 2018Feb. 5, 2019Feb. 12, 2019Feb. 19, 2019Feb. 26, 2019March 5, 2019March 12, 2019100-POINT MARKNorthwest has reached 100 points five times this season - the most times the Bearcats have reached 100 points in a single season.Northwest has scored 100 or more points 10 times under head coachThe 111-point output is the most scored by a Northwest team since the Bearcats posted a 111-36 win over Principia College on Dec. 2, 2006.100-Point Games under McCollum105-55 vs. Manhattan Christian (11/16/09)104-67 vs. Graceland (11/28/09)105-59 vs. Waldord (12/16/13)104-69 at Southwest Baptist (1/16/14)103-58 vs. Missouri Valley (12/13/16)100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/3/18)100-66 vs. Midland (12/1/18)108-58 vs. Simpson (12/30/18)105-70 at Northeastern State (1/3/19)111-83 vs. Pittsburg State (1/31/19)WITTHUS EARNS 2ND MIAA PLAYER OF WEEKSeniorwas named the MIAA player of the week for the second time this season after he averaged 32.0 points per game and 7.0 rebounds. He shot 63.9 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from three-point range in leading Northwest to a pair of home MIAA victories.Witthus went for a career-high 36 points in Northwest's 111-83 win over Pittsburg State. Witthus buried 13-of-19 field goals, including 8-of-13 from three-point land vs. the Gorillas. Witthus grabbed four rebounds and handed out an assist vs. PSU.Witthus tied his career-high with 10 rebounds and scored a game-high 28 points in Northwest's 82-62 win over Missouri Southern. Witthus was 10-of-17 from the field and knocked in his only three-point attempt. Witthus also sank 7-of-8 free throws. He handed out two assists and secured two steals vs. the Lions.TWO BEARCATS NAMED TO BEVO FRANCIS TOP 50 WATCH LISTSmall College Basketball has narrowed down its Watch List for the Bevo Francis Award of 2019 to 50 of the finest men's basketball players in the country who compete in the affiliations of NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division II, USCAA and NCCAA.Northwest Missouri State seniorand redshirt freshmanare both named on the top 50 watch list. Witthus and Hudgins have led the Bearcats to a No. 1 ranking in NCAA Div. II basketball and the only undefeated mark in all of NCAA basketball. Witthus is averaging a team-best 21.4 points per game. Witthus leads the MIAA in three-pointers made (77) and three-point field goal percentage (47.5 percent). Hudgins is the top scoring freshman in the nation at 18.9 points per game. Hudgins leads the MIAA in assists (5.7 apg).This marks the fourth season of the Bevo Francis Award, as the award was previously given to Dominez Burnett of Davenport (Mich.) in 2016,of Northwest Missouri State in 2017 and Emanuel Terry of Lincoln Memorial last season.WITTHUS EARNS MIAA PLAYER OF WEEKhas been named the MIAA men's basketball player of the week.Witthus averaged 29.0 points per game, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in leading Northwest to a pair of home wins over Emporia State and nationally-ranked Washburn.Against Emporia State, Witthus notched his third 30-point game of the season with 32 points. Witthus scored 16 consecutive points in the second half to turn a six-point game into a 15-point advantage for the Bearcats. Witthus went 11-of-22 from the field and drained five triples to go along with three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Witthus went 5-of-5 from the free throw stripe.On Saturday against Washburn, Witthus scored a game-high 26 points. Witthus was 7-of-15 from the field that included four buried treys. Witthus was 8-of-9 at the free throw line. He added five rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win to push the Bearcats win streak to 16 in a row.Witthus shot 48.6 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from three-point range and 92.9 percent from the free throw line.HAWKINS NAMED MIAA PLAYER OF THE WEEKNorthwest Missouri State University sophomorehas been named the MIAA co-player of the week. Hawkins shared the honor with Lincoln's Terrance Smith.Hawkins (Atlantic, Iowa) averaged 26.0 points per game, 4.3 steals per game and shot 66.7 percent from the field (including 52.2 percent from 3-point range) in a trio of Northwest Missouri State victories.Hawkins went for a career-high 31 points on 10-of-13 shooting (5-of-7 3-point FGs) in a 105-70 win at Northeastern State. Hawkins added five steals and a block while also draining all six of his free throw attempts in the Bearcats's road victory.He scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and chipped in with eight rebounds and two steals in a 78-67 road triumph at Central Oklahoma.Hawkins posted a then-career-high 29 points, eight rebounds, six steals and a block in a 108-58 victory over Simpson on Dec. 30. Hawkins went 11-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range against the Storm.NORTHWEST WITH 25 ASSISTS VS DUSTDEVILSNorthwest was credited with 25 assists in its 85-46 win over Texas A&M-International. It was the most assists by a Bearcat team since it put up 25 assists vs. Baker on Nov. 24, 2009.25+ Assists since 200027 vs. Manhattan Christian (Dec. 8, 2001)27 vs. Central Missouri (Feb. 6, 2002)27 vs. University of Saint Mary (Nov. 15, 2005)26 vs. Calvary Bible College (Dec. 5, 2002)25 vs. William Woods (Dec. 17, 2008)25 vs. Baker (Nov. 24, 2009)25 vs. Texas A&M-International (Dec. 18, 2018)HUDGINS TAKES MVP HONORSRedshirt freshman guard(Manhattan, Kansas) earned MVP honors after leading the Bearcats to a pair of wins over Northern State and No. 13 Ferris State in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. Hudgins averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in the two games.CAN'T MISS 'CATSNorthwest began the Ferris State contest by making its first 10 three-point field goals. The Bearcats finished the game having drained 14 triples against the Bulldogs.BRING ON THE BESTThe Bearcats began this season with wins over both teams that took part in the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship. Ferris State defeated Northern State in the title game in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ferris State had won 27 consecutive games before falling to Northwest.WORKING OVERTIMENorthwest opened the season with a 72-70 overtime win over Northern State. The Bearcats are 7-3 all-time under head coachin overtime games.PRESEASON POLLSNorthwest was tabbed to win the preseason MIAA poll by the members of the media. The coaches MIAA preseason poll had Northwest in the No. 2 spot behind Missouri Southern.2018-19 MIAA Media Poll1. Northwest Missouri (6) - 2622. Missouri Southern (10) - 2613. Washburn (3) - 2374. Central Missouri - 2255. Pittsburg State (1) - 2126. Fort Hays State (1) - 2087. Central Oklahoma - 1638. Lindenwood - 1509. Nebraska Kearney - 12310. Lincoln - 11911. Emporia State - 7912. Missouri Western - 66Southwest Baptist - 6614. Northeastern State - 352018-19 MIAA Coaches Poll1. Missouri Southern (6) - 1572. Northwest Missouri (7) - 1553. Washburn (1) - 1324. Central Missouri - 1285. Central Oklahoma - 118Pittsburg State - 1187. Fort Hays State - 1048. Lindenwood - 879. Lincoln - 6810. Nebraska Kearney - 6611. Emporia State - 4712. Northeastern State - 4013. Southwest Baptist - 3014. Missouri Western - 24PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AT PIZZA RANCHNorthwest head coachwill be available each Tuesday from Noon - 1 p.m. for a press conference at the Maryville Pizza Ranch.NORTHWEST ATHLETICS APP AVAILABLENorthwest Missouri State athletics is partnering with From Now On and is introducing a new Bearcat athletics app.The Bearcat athletics app is available for download from the App Store or Google Play.The Bearcat app will provide a landing spot for all fans including students, alumni, Bearcat Booster Club members, season ticket holders and Bearcat Buddies. The app offers live stats, season stats, push notifications with score updates, information on Bearcat teams, rosters and schedules as well as marketing/promotional tools, fan guides, merchandise, maps of home venues and a rewards feature. The rewards feature allows fans to check-in at games and events, receive points and later use the points for prizes and game day experiences.