By David Boyce
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A little over 3 minutes remained in the first half and Fairmont State only had 17 points. That number perfectly summed up the stifling defense Northwest Missouri State played to claim its first NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship.
“This feels amazing,” said Northwest junior Justin Pitts, who finished with 23 points. “Being here the last two years and losing hurt so we all worked hard for it. I am so happy we got it done for the seniors.”
The Bearcats led from start to finish to beat Fairmont 71-61 Saturday afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon.
“We came out with no fear, which was unbelievable,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “I knew if we had any chance to beat them, you have to kind of bully the bullies. They get after it so much and make it really difficult for you. I was happy with our guys’ performance.”
Hollywood couldn’t have written a better script for Northwest. The previous two years, the Bearcats lost in the Central Regional championship game at the Sanford Pentagon.
Last year was particularly heartbreaking, falling by two points on two free throws with 5 seconds left to Augustana, which advanced to the Elite Eight and won the national title.
“It was one of those stories you try to draw up,” said senior Zach Schneider. “We lose here two years in a row. We talked about it when we got on the bus after losing to Augustana last year. Our only option was to end this season here with three wins.
“This means the world. I will be able to reflect on it more in a week. The support was unreal. We call this Bearcat Arena North.”
Add in the fact that former Northwest men’s basketball coach Steve Tappmeyer was in attendance makes the storyline even more heartwarming. Tappmeyer led Northwest to Elite Eight appearances in 2002 and 2004. McCollum was a player on the 2002 team and an assistant coach on the 2004 team. Tappmeyer also coached both Northwest assistants, Austin Meyer and Andy Peterson.
“It was a lot of fun, just awesome,” Tappmeyer said. “What a great team. It is a team that shows no bad body language. They play through calls, adversity. That doesn’t happen by accident. They have done a tremendous job.”
And finally, any good sports drama needs an audience. Northwest filled the Sanford Pentagon in green, making it a sold-out crowd of 3,250.
“It is such a special place, and it is really being done the right way,” Northwest president John Jasinski said. “We are so proud of our student-athletes, our coaches and our support system. Our support system is just the absolute best.”
Northwest finished the season 35-1, making it a year to remember for the school. In December, Northwest football team concluded its second straight 15-0 national championship season.
“First of all, I am just thrilled for our basketball team, the coaches and the players,” said Northwest athletic director Mel Tjeerdsma. “I know how much work they put into it and how they built each year.
“Our fan base, what can you say about Northwest fans. They packed this place. The intensity the whole ball game was great.”
The basketball team was nearly perfect on the season and in the championship game. The Bearcats needed to play well against a talented and gritty Fairmont team that finished the season 34-3.
Northwest started the second half in great shape with an 11-point lead and then scored four of the first five points to increase their advantage to 36-22.
The 14-point deficit forced Fairmont to play catchup the rest of the half. But whenever the Falcons cut it to single digits, Northwest had an answer.
Northwest showed its resolve when Fairmont closed to 36-28 after three straight baskets by Matt Bingaya, who finished with a game-high 24 points. The Bearcats responded with a three-pointer from junior Justin Pitts and a basket by senior Anthony Woods that made it 41-28.
It went like that the rest of the second half. When Fairmont closed to 49-41, Northwest scored the next three for a double-digit lead.
With 3:12 left in the game, Woods calmly drained two free throws that made it 64-52.
“It felt good,” said Woods, who finished with 13 points. “I was struggling early on.
“This is amazing, especially with this group of guys. We worked so hard from preseason on. We have been talking about this moment for so long. We finally did it. It is just a blessing.”
The defining blow came with 1:40 left. Junior Chris-Ebou Ndow ran the baseline, received a pass from Woods and made a reverse dunk that gave Northwest a 66-52.
“Us getting a momentum swing, a dunk or a three-pointer is huge for us and our momentum,” Ndow said.
Northwest came out and scored the first seven points of the game and played shutdown defense throughout the first half to take a 32-21 lead into halftime.
“That is what coach Mac preached to us yesterday,” Pitts said. “It is the last game. You might as well go out there and have fun and that is what we did today.”
The game started with Pitts, the national player of the year, drilling a three-pointer. Woods followed with basket and then delivered a behind-the-back pass to Brett Dougherty for a layup.
A long three-pointer by Thomas Wimbush put the Falcons on the board, but it was obvious baskets were not going to be easy.
Northwest scored the next six points to build its first double-digit lead at 13-3. The best run for Fairmont state came when it closed to 23-16 and appeared to have some momentum. The Bearcats started missing a few shots.
But the Falcons were unable to make much of a charge because of how difficult it was for them to score. They only had 17 points with 2:35 remaining in the first half.
“I think this is by far the best we have played on the defensive end,” Pitts said. “They have great players. We had to lock in and focus on defense.”
Northwest got its second double-digit lead at 28-17 on two free throws by senior D’Vante Mosby. Fairmont cut it to single digits at 30-21 on a driving basket by sophomore guard Jason Jolly. The Bearcats scored last in the first half for the 11-point lead.
The Bearcats held Fairmont to 31 percent from the field. The Falcons went just nine for 29 from the field.
“This is special,” said Ndow, who scored 17 points. “We wanted to go down swinging. If we were going to lose, we weren’t going to lose easy. We have an unbelievable group of seniors. It is only fitting they go out this way.”
— Northwest Athletics —
