Game Notes  I  Live Stats  I  Live Video  I  Free Audio

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team will compete in a road contest at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 against Washburn inside Lee Arena (4,150). The RiverHawks (11-6, 6-4 MIAA) are in a free fall down the rankings after losing four of their last five games, while the Ichabods (13-3, 6-3 MIAA) have won five of their last seven.

NSU is 2-0 against WU since joining the NCAA in 1996-97. Northeastern State topped Washburn 64-59 in the NCAA Second Round en route to winning the 2003 National Championship (March 15, 2003), and NSU upset then-No. 10 WU 85-78 in Tahlequah last season (Jan. 19, 2013). Washburn was selected in the preseason MIAA coaches poll to finish seventh, NSU was selected to place fourth.

Northeastern State's Probable Starters
F	10	Landon DeMasters	6-4, 200	Jr-1L	7.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg	Van Alstyne, Texas
F	15	Marcus Sheppard	6-4, 205	Sr-1L	9.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg	Vivian, La.
F	22	Curtis Evans	6-7, 215	Jr-TR	10.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg	Springdale, Ark.
G	03	Bryton Hobbs	6-0, 170	Sr-1L	23.8 ppg, 5.6 apg	St. Louis, Mo.
G	20	Dalen Qualls	6-1, 180	Jr-TR	10.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg	Stratford, Okla.
Washburn's Probable Starters
F	22	Alex North	6-6, 215	Jr.	14.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg	Topeka, Kan.
F	31	Leon Flowers	6-5, 190	Sr.	9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg	Wichita, Kan.
G	03	Jeff Reid	6-6, 205	Jr.	10.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg	Topeka, Kan.
G	05	Korey Fisher	6-2, 195	Jr.	6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg	East Orange, N.J.
G	11	Kyle Wiggins	6-2, 170	Jr.	14.6 ppg, 3.7 apg	Leavenworth, Kan.

 
SCOUTING THE ICHABODS
Washburn owns a 13-3 record this season with a 6-3 mark in the MIAA. The Ichabods have won five of their last seven contests, which includes a 76-69 triumph over Central Oklahoma the last time out. WU is 9-1 at home this season. Kyle Wiggins and Alex North both lead the squad in scoring at 14.6 ppg, and North is the team's leading rebounder at 9.0 rpg. Christian Ulsaker (13.0 ppg) and Jeff Reid (10.1 ppg) also average double figures.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT - ESU 72, NSU 67
NSU lost 72-67 to Emporia State on Jan. 22 inside the NSU Event Center. The RiverHawks have now lost four of their last five games, while the Hornets improved their win streak to four games. Northeastern State had four players score in double figures, led by 21 points from Bryton Hobbs. Curtis Evans added 12, while Dalen Qualls (11) and Michael Harmon (10) also hit double digits. NSU was outrebounded for the fifth-straight game (31-25), and the Hornets also led in points in the paint (36-26), assists (9-7), second-chance points (10-4), and bench points (23-14). The RiverHawks shot 42.9 percent (18-for-42) from the field, 30.8 percent (4-for-13) from downtown and 73 percent (27-for-37) at the free-throw line. Emporia State shot 48 percent (24-for-50) from the field, 26.7 percent (4-for-15) from distance and 71.4 percent (20-for-28) at the charity stripe. ESU was led by Terrence Moore's 17 points. Kaleb Wright finished with 16 points despite shooting just 3-for-13 from the field, and Paul Bunch added 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET - NSU 85, #10 WU 78
Northeastern State upset No. 10 Washburn 85-78 Jan. 19, 2013 inside Jack Dobbins Field House. The RiverHawks (made a season-high 13 three-point field goals on just 18 attempts for a scorching 72 percent. The last time NSU hit at least 13 trey's in a single game was against Harding on Nov. 20, 2010. NSU also shot 58 percent from the field (22-for-38) and made 80 percent from the free-throw line (28-for-35). Bryton Hobbs dropped 25 points and added seven assists in 39 minutes of work. He finished 14-for-17 from the free-throw line. Jermaine Bransford recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Ethan Anderson and Jon Miller combined for 30 points and made 7-for-8 from downtown. Washburn gave up the second-most points all season after entering the contest allowing just 62.2 points a game. The team also recorded a season-low in rebounds after NSU won that battle, 25-20.
 
MIAA CHAMPIONSHIP IN KC
The 2014 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship is set to take place inside Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The top 12 teams in the regular season all qualify for postseason play, with the top four earning byes to Kansas City. The first round will be contested at host sites March 4, with the fifth seed hosting No. 12, the sixth seed hosting No. 11, etc. Those four winners will join the top four seeds in KC March 7-9.
4.3901.
 
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.