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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team defeated Missouri Western State 57-42 Thursday evening inside the NSU Event Center in a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association contest.
 
The RiverHawks (5-5, 2-1 MIAA) needed career highs from two freshmen in order to get the job done, but they were able to crank up the defense late and hold the Griffons (4-4, 0-2 MIAA) to a season low in points.
 
Redshirt freshman Courtney Cowan led NSU with 14 points. She was only 2-for-7 from the field, but she made 8 of 12 from the free-throw line. True freshman Mya Walker added 12 points, and both players chipped in five rebounds.
 
The RiverHawks shot 29 percent (15-for-52) from the field and hit just 3 of 17 (18 percent) from beyond three-point territory. They won the game on the free-throw line, however, converting 24 of 33 (73 percent). Missouri Western State shot 31 percent (16-for-52) from the field, 16 percent (3-for-19) from downtown and 33 percent (7-for-21) from the line.
 
Quenisha Lockett posted a double-double with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. She was all on her own, however, as no other member of the team had more than six points.
 
NSU led just 23-22 at halftime, and the game remained close in the early going of the second half. The RiverHawks held a narrow 30-28 margin after a jumper from Lockett at 12:28, but a three-point shot from junior guard Fontana Tate and two free throws from fellow junior guard Chelsey Beathard helped the home team push ahead by double digits. Beathard's free throws came after MWSU coach Rob Edmisson was called for a technical foul.
 
The Griffons got back within six at 46-40 with 4:54 to play, but the RiverHawks ended on an 11-2 run to win by the 15-point margin.
 
Northeastern State held MWSU to just 20 second-half points, marking just the second time all season an NSU opponent scored fewer points in the second half.
 
Northeastern State will now prepare for a showdown with the No. 8-ranked team in the nation. The RiverHawks will entertain the Central Missouri Jennies at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21.
 
Scoring Summary
Missouri Western     22      20        42
Northeastern State   23      34        57
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH RANDY GIPSON
Opening Statement…
"Missouri Western plays really hard and they're a good defensive team. We had difficulty sustaining offense, but our kids really gave a good effort defensively throughout the game. That ultimately carried us to the win tonight."
 
On Mya Walker and Courtney Cowan both scoring career highs…
"It's good to see. Those were kids that when we recruited them we thought scoring was something they gave us. They're players that can put the ball in the basket. They're starting to understand the game and the intensity that's required to play at this level. We started Courtney tonight because we've seen some things in the last week and a half in practice. We've seen some progress being made, and she demonstrated that she can play at this level and she is only going to get better. This was also a breakout game for Mya as well. That was clearly her best college game. She made some big contributions for us tonight. That's encouraging to see. We found a way to win, and now we get ready for the next one."
 
On playing No. 8 Central Missouri on Saturday…
"We need to have an all-around great defensive effort for 40 minutes in order to beat them, and we're going to have to find a way to make some shots. It's going to take the very best game we've got in order to have a chance to win Saturday. They are deserving of their ranking. They play hard and they're well coached. They might be the most talented team in the region."
 
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