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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team dominated the second half in a 65-56 victory over Lindenwood Saturday afternoon inside the NSU Event Center.
 
The RiverHawks (4-3, 2-0 MIAA) outscored the Lady Lions (5-2, 0-2 MIAA) 40-25 in the final 20 minutes after falling behind 31-25 at halftime.
 
Senior guard Chelsey Beathard matched her career high of 18 points for the second-straight game, while fellow senior guard Fontana Tate added 14 points and junior guard Kate Bellamy chipped in 12.
 
Northeastern State shot 44.7 percent (21-for-47) from the field, 36.4 percent (8-for-22) from downtown and 62.5 percent (15-for-24) at the free-throw line. Lindenwood shot 37 percent (20-for-54) overall, 33.3 percent (3-for-9) from distance and 61.9 percent (13-for-21) at the charity stripe.
 
Kassidy Gengenbacher was the only Lady Lion in double figures, as she finished with 14 points. Vanessa Zailo posted nine points and 19 rebounds.
 
The contest favored the visitors in the first 20 minutes. Lindenwood outscored NSU 11-0 on second-chance opportunities and had more offensive rebounds (11) than the home team had in total rebounds (9). The Lady Lions built a 23-13 advantage 13 minutes into the game and were able to stretch the lead to 31-19 with two minutes remaining in the opening stanza.
 
Tate drained a 3-point basket with a minute to play, and sophomore forward Mya Walker beat the halftime buzzer with a last-second triple to cut LWU's lead in half heading into the locker room.
 
The RiverHawks came out of the break on fire and were able to tie proceedings at 34-34 with 17 minutes left. Lindenwood would not relinquish the lead, however, as an 8-2 run put the Lady Lions on top 42-36.
 
NSU was finally able to gain its first lead of the second half at 48-46 when freshman guard Miranda Griffin connected from deep at the 6:43 mark. Northeastern State used a steady dose of free throws, interior offense and increased execution on defense to pull ahead late and earn the nine-point conference triumph.
 
After being outrebounded 25-9 in the first half, Northeastern State was able to tie Lindenwood in rebounds 19-19 in the second half.
 
The RiverHawks are now set to step out of conference action for the next two games, starting with a 6 p.m. home tilt Dec. 8 against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH RANDY GIPSON
Opening Statement...
"Once again we didn't have a very good start to the game. (Lindenwood) beat us to the punch and were killing us on the boards. We hung around and we played much better defense in the second half. We got some offensive rhythm going and made some shots and some things came together. We play from behind a lot more than I'd like to, but our kids have hung in there and found a way before it's too late in these last two games. I'd just like to see us get better starts in our games."
 
On improvements in rebounding from the first half to the second half...
"I think our whole defensive effort was much better in the second half. We contained better and got bodies on people and rebounded better. They only got four offensive rebounds in the second half and that was obviously really important. We were giving them so many second chances and you can't do that and expect to have a chance to win. I thought our kids got more physical and competed on the boards better in the second half."
 
On Chelsey Beathard's play...
"She's come out in the conference season really well. She's doing things that we know she's capable of doing. She's a senior that's focused on having a good year and leading this team. She really has been our team leader from day one. She contributes in a lot of ways besides the stats she is putting up. I'm happy to see her get off to a good start."
 
On playing three games in five days...
"It is definitely tough because we have final exams going on as well. We have to get a little practice in tomorrow and get ready to play. It's not an ideal situation, but it came out of a scheduling necessity. It's going to take some mental toughness. But our team has shown some mental toughness the way that they've fought and picked up a couple wins, so we're just going to have to keep it up."
 
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