By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Northwest Missouri State women haven't had the start to the new year they had hoped for after another loss on Wednesday evening to begin a four game homestand.
The Bearcat women saw their losing streak move to three games, falling to UCM 66-61 as the Jennies came from behind in the fourth quarter to steal the win. Even in a loss it was a bounce back from a poor performance Saturday against Nebraska Kearney, where Northwest shot 36% and were outrebounded 41-32.
Sophomore forward Sadie Maas says it's important to not let things snowball
"This isn't the same team as last year, and we're so much more capable when it comes to just bouncing back when we get hit," Maas tells reporters following the game. "So I think just sticking together as a team and having everybody on the same page and just continuing to do that is going to be really key."
Head Coach Austin Meyer says with more tough MIAA opponents ahead, the team needs to take lessons from this game knowing another good team is around the corner
"There were some things we did, gave them some open threes that we didn't need to, and there's plenty of little things that despite everything else we still could have won the game," Meyer says.
The Bearcats have a tough slate ahead as they face Washburn on Saturday, before hosting and facing for the second time in two weeks Nebraska Kearney and #6 Fort Hays State.
The game also marked a return to the area once again for a former Riverside Cyclone, forward Taylor Weishaar, who also had the opportunity to battle her old AAU teammate, Northwest forward Maggie Collins
Now a sophomore for the Jennies, Weishaar says that first year in the college system obviously gave her a year of experience, but also even more
"It helped me become more comfortable, more confident, and since we have six freshman just stepping into that leadership role where I can," Weishaar says.
The Jennies, led by former Missouri Western State University head coach Dave Slifer, won their first game in Maryville in the last three tries, coming from behind in the fourth quarter.
Now, Slifer will return to his old stomping grounds on Saturday, as UCM travels to St. Joseph to take on the Griffons. The ties go deep Slifer says
"I've got Olivia Nelson on staff who played for us for four years, so looking forward to seeing her," Slifer says. "And they have played a big time schedule, and they may not have the most robust record right now, but I did see they were ahead of Washburn right now, so they are battle tested so they can play a little bit."
MoWest did go on to beat Washburn for their first conference win. Nelson is an assistant coach for new Griffons head coach Luke Scheidecker.
For Northwest in the loss, Central alum Ella Moody scored 13 points for the team lead. Andrea Lopreato added 12 points to round out the double digit scoring. Bailey Birmingham converted three beyond the arc for a total of nine points.
The Northwest men also narrowly fell to Central Missouri in Bearcat Arena, falling 76-72. The Mules improved to 13-4 overall, 4-1 in MIAA play, while Northwest moved to 9-7 overall, 2-3 MIAA.
Despite a balanced offense with four players scoring in double digits, Northwest could not hold off the Mules, who outscored them by 14 points in the second half. Royce Williams secured an early lead for Northwest with a three pointer nearly one minute into the game and the Bearcats maintained a narrow edge through effective scoring in the paint through the first half.
UCM kept the contest tight, matching Northwest in both field goals and three-pointers, resulting in multiple lead changes and ties throughout the half. However, Northwest regained control in the final minutes, with Mikhail Abdul-Hamid securing a layup at 00:27, ending the half ahead 35–31. Out of the half, the Bearcats initially extended their lead with an early three-pointer from Williams, but the Mules responded with a series of successful offensive plays eventually evening up the score.
The Bearcats briefly recaptured the lead with a three-pointer by Presley Ibeh, but Central Missouri quickly tied the game again, then as the half progressed, Northwest struggled to maintain its lead. Trey Moala did convert a layup at 8:54 after a critical steal by Aiden Gair, giving the Bearcats a narrow 58–57 advantage. However, Central Missouri capitalized on a late turnover and foul, securing the win with a final free throw at 0:10.
Williams led the team with 18 points. Moala contributed 11 points, while Abdul-Hamid chipped in 12 points. Larenz Walters rounded out the double digit scoring with 10 points.
The Northwest men and women will next play Washburn on Saturday in Maryville. The women tipoff at 1:30pm, the men will follow at 3:30pm in Bearcat Arena.
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