Missouri State University’s basketball team earns senate praise

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Josh Hawley (Mo.) announced that the Senate unanimously approved a resolution honoring the Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU) men’s basketball team for winning the 2022 NCAA Division II (DII) national championship and making history as the first DII men’s basketball team to win three consecutive national titles.

“Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, staff, and fans on this incredible achievement,” said Blunt. “Thanks to hard work and determination, the Bearcats took home another national title and earned their spot in the record books by becoming the first Division II men’s basketball team to win three-consecutive championships. There’s no question the Bearcats are a sports powerhouse, and I look forward to seeing what this team can accomplish next year.”

“I am thrilled to congratulate the Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team on their 2022 NCAA Division II victory,” said Hawley. “Missouri is so proud of the hard work and continued success of these players, coaches, and staff, year after year.”

The NWMSU Bearcats defeated the Augusta University Jaguars by 67-58 in the 2022 DII men’s basketball championship in March. For the fifth time in his career, Bearcats Head Coach Ben McCollum was selected as the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Coach of the Year. Bearcats point guard Trevor Hudgins became the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association all-time leading scorer.