By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Northwest Missouri State guard and St. Joseph native Diego Bernard announced on Twitter Monday that he will be back with the Bearcats this coming season, using his fifth year of eligibility.
Bernard will now look to become the first DII player to win four national championships. He's been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year each of the last two seasons and is currently ninth in Bearcat history in scoring, fifth in rebounds, ninth in assists, fourth in steals, eighth in field goals made and eighth in free throws made.
Northwest brings back four starters from last season’s national championship team with Wes Dreamer, Luke Waters and Isaiah Jackson joining Bernard.
Forwards Byron Alexander and Daniel Abreu, along with guard Mitch Mascari, also return after playing big roles off the bench late last season for Northwest.
The Bearcats went 34-5 last year, winning a third consecutive national title.