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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team will play the final contest of the first half of the season when the team hosts Central Missouri at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21 in the NSU Event Center (3,100).

Both the RiverHawks (8-2, 3-0 MIAA) and Mules (10-1, 2-0 MIAA) are undefeated in league play, and both squads are currently receiving votes in the NABC Division II Coaches Poll. The first meeting between the two schools came last season, when UCM picked up a 77-69 victory over NSU on Jan. 9, 2013, in Warrensburg, Mo. UCM was selected in the preseason MIAA coaches poll to finish third in the league, while NSU was picked fourth.

(RV) Northeastern State's Probable Starters
F	15	Marcus Sheppard	6-4, 205	Sr-1L	8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg	Vivian, La.
F	22	Curtis Evans	6-7, 215	Jr-TR	9.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg	Springdale, Ark.
G	03	Bryton Hobbs	6-0, 170	Sr-1L	24.2 ppg, 4.9 apg	St. Louis, Mo.
G	05	Keon Littleton	6-1, 185	Jr-TR	8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg	DeSoto, Texas
G	20	Dalen Qualls	6-1, 180	Jr-TR	8.5 ppg, 1.2 apg	Stratford, Okla.
(RV) Central Missouri's Probable Starters
F	24	Dillon Deck	6-9, 240	Jr.	12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg	Smithville, Mo.
F	33	Kyle Wolf	6-6, 190	Fr.	10.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg	Lenexa, Kan.
G	01	Ryan Magdziarz	6-3, 215	Sr.	8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg	Overland Park, Kan.
G	11	Daylen Robinson	6-0, 190	Sr.	10.6 ppg, 5.4 apg	Kansas City, Mo.
G	21	Jon Gilliam	6-2, 180	Sr.	7.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg	Paris, Mo.

SCOUTING THE MULES
Central Missouri owns the top record in the MIAA this year at 10-1, and the team is also 2-0 in league play. The Mules sport wins over Central Oklahoma (72-70), Fort Hays State (93-85), Northern State (66-65), and Quincy (79-78). The lone loss on the card for UCM was an 81-78 setback to St. Mary's (81-78). Dillon Deck paces the squad at 12.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg, while Kyle Wolf adds 10.7 ppg and Daylen Robinson checks in at 10.6 ppg. Ryan Donald leads with 63 rebounds (5.7 rpg). Central Missouri was 22-8 overall in 2012-13 and finished in a tie for first place in the MIAA at 13-5.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT
NSU defeated Missouri Western State 73-70 Dec. 19 inside the NSU Event Center in a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association battle. The RiverHawks (8-2, 3-0 MIAA) closed the game on a 15-5 run to stay on top of the conference standings, while the hot-shooting Griffons (6-4, 1-1 MIAA) suffered their first league loss of the year. Senior guard Bryton Hobbs led all scorers with 20 points despite playing only 25 minutes due to foul trouble. He did most of his damage on the free-throw line, finishing 9 of 12 from the charity stripe. Junior guard Keon Littleton added a season-high 17 points and eight rebounds, senior forward Marcus Sheppard finished with 14 points and nine boards, and junior forward Curtis Evans chipped in 12 points and eight boards. The RiverHawks shot 50 percent (21-for-42) from the field, 54 percent (7-for-13) from downtown and 80 percent (24-for-30) at the line. Missouri Western State shot at a 43-percent clip (23-for-54), while converting 50 percent (12-for-24) from downtown and 75 percent (12-for-16) from the free-throw line. Ryan Devers paced the Griffons with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Adarius Fulton added 12 points, and both Hans Thun and Dareon Jones contributed 11. The two teams combined for just 13 turnovers, and NSU outrebounded MWSU 32-26.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
The Northeastern State men's basketball team dropped a 77-69 decision to Central Missouri on Jan. 9, 2013, at UCM Multipurpose Building. The RiverHawks lost their second in a row, while the Mules picked up their third-straight win. Jermaine Bransford recorded his sixth double-double of the year, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Bryton Hobbs dropped 25 points and Ethan Anderson added 14. Northeastern State shot 50 percent from the field (26-for-52) and 39 percent from behind the three-point line (5-for-13). Central Missouri shot 44 percent from the field (24-for-55) and 38 percent from behind the arc (6-for-16).
 
HOBBS LEADS THE WAY
Senior guard Bryton Hobbs is currently leading the entire MIAA and is ninth in the nation in points per game (24.2). He is also ninth nationally in total points scored and ranks fourth in the league in assists (4.9) and third in minutes played (32.8). Hobbs has scored at least 20 points in all but one game this season. He also has two double-digit rebounding efforts and six games with at least five helpers. He has led the RiverHawks in scoring in every game this year and has led in assists in all but one contest. He has also led in rebounding three times, steals four times and blocks once.
 
HOBBS NAMED MIAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bryton Hobbs was named the MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week on Dec. 9. Northeastern State was the only team in the MIAA to pick up two road victories that weekend, and Hobbs was an integral part of the team's success. He scored a career-high 36 points and added seven assists in an 83-74 win at Lindenwood. The point total was the second-highest recorded by an MIAA player in a single game this season (Rashaad Brown-Peterson of Southwest Baptist had 40 against Missouri S&T). The leading scorer in the conference also dropped a game-high 21 in an 87-72 win at Lincoln, while adding five rebounds and five assists. For the week, Hobbs averaged 28.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds. He shot 53 percent (17-for-32) from the field, 55 percent (6-for-11) from downtown and 74 percent (17-for-23) at the line. The honor was the second of Hobbs' career (Jan. 21, 2013).
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE CURRENTLY RECEIVING VOTES
Northeastern State is currently receiving 11 votes in the latest NABC/Division II national rankings. NSU began the season as the No. 17-ranked team in the nation and vaulted as high as No. 10 before plummeting out of the national polls. The RiverHawks earned a top-25 rank in the first three installments.
 
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
The NSU Athletics Department announced its season ticket packages for the home portion of the men's and women's basketball schedule. Adult general admission prices can be purchased for $125, and the season chair back seats are $200. Season ticket holders receive the benefit of sitting in comfortable chair back seats. They also receive first option to purchase playoff tickets, premier seating for NSU's 13 home games, excellent view of the playing surface and premier seating in the new 78,200 square foot multipurpose event center. New for 2013 is the $25 single-game Family 4-Pack, which includes two general admission adult tickets and two general admission student tickets (ages 4 through high school). The Family 4-Pack may be purchased at any time and used at any regular season home game. All Northeastern State home men's and women's basketball games are contested at the NSU Event Center.
 
ID'S REQUIRED FOR ENTRY IN 2013
All fans wishing to attend an NSU home football or basketball contest this season will be required to show a ticket prior to entering the facilities. NSU students and faculty/staff will still be allowed free admittance, but NSU ID's will no longer be accepted as a form of entry. Tickets can be purchased at NSU's new ticketing Web site, goriverhawkstickets.com. NSU students and faculty/staff can access goriverhawkstickets.com and secure their free tickets (either printable or downloaded to your smart phone) through their goNSU accounts. For questions regarding ticket options, please contact Brynn Hamner at 918.444.3901.
 
GO RIVERHAWKS GEAR
Northeastern State University Athletics has partnered with Advanced-Online and has launced its new, one-of-a-kind online shopping site, goriverhawksgear.com. NSU fans have another avenue for acquiring Northeastern State apparel and accessories. The store is loaded with options for fans of all ages, ranging from T-shirts, polos and sweatshirts, to home office supplies, drinkware and kitchen essentials. Every item is branded with official Northeastern State athletics and university logos, and select RiverHawks gear and accessories are customizable. The new online store can be accessed by simply visiting www.goriverhawksgear.com. The shop can also be viewed by clicking on the shopping cart at the top right of www.goriverhawksgo.com, the static graphic underneath the main picture or the rotating horizontal carousel just above the video player.