Box Score

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team put together another stellar defensive effort in a 69-45 victory over Missouri Southern State Saturday afternoon at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
 
The RiverHawks (13-5, 8-2 MIAA) have now won nine of their last 10 games, while the Lions (10-7, 4-5 MIAA) have dropped their last four.
 
The green and white has been doing damage on the defensive end this year, and the trend continued as the Lions were held to their fewest points at home during a league game since Jan. 9, 2008 (54-44 loss to Pittsburg State). MSSU also shot 31 percent (17-for-55) from the field, the second-worst shooting percentage of the season, 7 of 25 (28 percent) from distance and 4 of 5 at the charity stripe.


Northeastern State shot a season-best 56 percent (27-for-48) from the field. The team also knocked down 12 of 25 (48 percent) from behind the arc and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. NSU has nailed at least 10 treys in seven games this season.
 
The senior guard tandem of Taylor Lewis and Tosha Tyler both scored 14 points. Senior forward Sarah Green, junior guard Taylor Collins and sophomore guard Fontana Tate all added nine points for the balanced RiverHawks.
 
Nicole Hartzog was the lone member of the Lions to reach double figures, as she finished with 14 points.
 
Both teams started off slow, and it was the home team that was able to find itself leading 9-8 midway through the opening half.
 
Sophomore guard Chelsey Stricklen scored five-straight points for NSU on the team's next two possessions to spark a 24-7 run to close out the half. Northeastern State took a 32-16 lead into the break.
 
The RiverHawks stretched their lead out to 23 in the second half and were never challenged in the final 20 minutes.
 
NSU outrebounded the Lions 37-23.
 
Northeastern State will next head to Maryville, Mo., Jan. 31 for a 5:30 p.m. tilt with Northwest Missouri State.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH RANDY GIPSON
On having six players with at least eight points…
“I thought we got good offensive movement after the first five minutes of the game. When you're moving the ball like that, it presents open shots for different people. I was real happy to see we had a lot of people ready to step up and shoot the ball. We're happy when we can get games like what Taylor Collins had. She played probably her best offensive game this year. We had a lot of people chip in.”
 
On holding MSSU to the fewest points at home in a league game since 2008…
“We're playing solid, team defense. Everybody is involved and helping each other. We are aware of what the other team is trying to do. It is a result of concentration and team work.”
 
On holding a 37-23 rebounding edge over the taller Lions…
“That was surprising to me. Our kids are fighting hard. Good execution puts you in position to rebound, and I think we did a particularly good job of that today. Our people rotated and blocked out whoever they were left with. Rebounding starts with defensive execution.”
 
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