TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team closes out its four-game home stand with a pair of contests inside the NSU Event Center this weekend. After splitting the opening two games of the swing, the RiverHawks (5-12, 4-9 MIAA) will now welcome two conference foes who sit in the top three of the league standings. NSU will first play host to Lindenwood (13-6, 9-4) at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 before competing against Lincoln (12-7, 8-5) at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 30.
 

Northeastern State's Probable Starters
F	24	Dakota Caudill	6-6, 220	Sr-3L	13.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg	Claremore, Okla.
F	33	Erick Broadnax	6-9, 200	Jr-TR	2.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg	Tullahassee, Okla.
G	23	Braxton Williams	6-4, 195	Jr-TR	5.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg	West Plains, Mo.
G	25	Trey Mohair	6-0, 190	Sr-1L	13.0 ppg, 4.2 apg	Denton, Texas
G	30	Peyton Pratt	6-0, 175	Fr-HS	5.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg	Sperry, Okla.
Lindenwood's Probable Starters
F	10	Chandler Diekvoss	6-6, 205	Fr.	5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg	DePere, Wisc.
F	22	Cory Arentsen	6-5, 220	Sr.	21.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg	Trenton, Ill.
F	32	Zachary Biggs	6-7, 210	Sr.	5.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg	Chesterfield, Mo.
C	12	Stanislas Heili	7-1, 240	Sr.	9.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg	Strasbourg, France
G	01	Brad Newman	6-2, 155	So.	10.9 ppg, 2.7 apg	Milwaukee, Wisc.

 
NSU is 2-3 against LWU since the two teams became members of the MIAA in 2012-13. The RiverHawks defeated the Lions in Tahlequah last season, but Lindenwood topped Northeastern State by a 75-63 margin earlier this year in St. Charles.
 
The RiverHawks and Blue Tigers are all squre at 2-2 over the last four years. NSU won the first two meetings, but Lincoln has captured the last two, including a win in Tahlequah last season and an 86-61 victory in Jefferson City earlier this campaign.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT - NSU 90, SBU 80
NSU picked up a 90-80 victory over Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon inside the NSU Event Center. Senior forward Dakota Caudill entered the weekend with one career double-double on his resume, but he has now doubled up twice in the past two games. He tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds on Thursday and finished with 18 points and 10 boards in Saturday's victory. He also added two blocks and career highs in both assists (3) and steals (3). Senior guard Trey Mohair landed one assist shy of his first career double-double, as he registered 16 points and nine dimes. Sophomore guard Montre' Williams added 12 points and junior guard Braxton Williams chipped in 11 points. True freshman guards Tanner Mouse and Peyton Pratt added nine points each. NSU connected on 50.8 percent (30-for-59) of shot attempts, while making 47.8 percent (11-for-23) from behind the arc and 82.6 percent (19-for-23) at the free-throw line. SBU shot 59.1 percent (26-for-44) overall, 50 percent (8-for-16) from deep range and 71.4 (20-for-28) at the line. The RiverHawks outscored Southwest Baptist 52-37 in the second half, which marked just the third time this season that NSU erupted for at least 50 points in one half. Northeastern State led in assists (22-17), blocks (6-2), steals (7-4), points in the paint (34-30), points off turnovers (24-11), second-chance points (11-7), fast-break points (10-8), bench points (34-20), and fewer turnovers (6-17). SBU led in rebounding (28-26).

THE LAST TIME THEY MET - LWU 75, NSU 63
Northeastern State lost 75-63 to Lindenwood inside Hyland Arena on Dec. 12, 2015. Senior guard Trey Mohair missed just four shots en route to a 23-point effort. Senior forward Dakota Caudill chipped in with 16 points of his own. NSU shot 33.8 percent (22-for-65) from the field, 31.6 percent (6-for-19) from 3-point territory and 68.4 percent (13-for-19) at the free-throw line. LWU shot 44.2 percent 23-for-52) overall, 36.8 percent (7-for-19) from deep and 81.5 percent (22-for-27) at the charity stripe. Cory Arentsen was the only Lion in double figures, but he made it count as he poured in 40 points. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and was 12 of 26 from the field. He only made 4 of 11 from behind the 3-point line, but he was 12-for-14 at the free-throw line. NSU led in fewer turnovers (13-15) and points off turnovers (14-6), while Lindenwood led in rebounds (41-34), assists (14-5), blocks (6-3), steals (7-5), points in the paint (32-28) and second-chance points (19-9).
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET - LU 86, NSU 61
NSU lost to Lincoln 86-61 inside Jason Gym on Dec. 14, 2015. Junior guard Braxton Williams came off the bench to lead Northeastern State with 14 points. Sophomore guard Montre' Williams added 11 for the visitors. NSU shot just 32.8 percent (20-for-61) overall, 15.8 percent (3-for-19) from behind the 3-point line and 78.3 percent (18-for-23) at the free-throw line. LU shot 49.2 percent (31-for-63) overall, 48 percent (12-for-25) from deep and 66.7 percent (12-for-18) at the line. Anthony Virdure led the Blue Tigers with a game-high 26 points, while Tacourrus Mattox added 12 and Jaylon Smith chipped in 11. Lincoln led in assists (15-7), steals (8-5), blocks (11-7), fewer turnovers (14-19), and points off turnovers (20-10). NSU led in rebounding (40-39) and points in the paint (34-30).
 
REBOUND KINGS
Northeastern State was the worst rebounding team in the MIAA last season and was amongst the worst rebounding teams in the nation, but that has flipped dramatically this year. The RiverHawks are 12th in the MIAA in rebounds allowed per game (36.6), and they are currently second in the league in rebounds gained per game (37.9) and sixth in rebounding margin (+1.3). By comparison, NSU grabbed 30.0 rebounds per game last season, while conceding 37.5 per game. The team was last in the MIAA in rebounds, rebounds allowed and rebound margin (-7.5). The RiverHawks had a three-game stretch where they posted a +10 rebounding margin or better (+11 against Northwest Missouri State, +15 against Washburn, +13 against Emporia State). This was the first time since the university joined the NCAA in 1996-97 that NSU won the rebound battle by at least 10 in three-consecutive games.
 

NCAA CATEGORY	2014-15 Rank	2015-16 Rank
Rebounding Margin	286	137
Total Rebounds	284	168
Offensive Rebounds Per Game	216	7
Defensive Rebounds Per Game	290	269

 
RETURNING JUST 3
NSU entered the 2015-16 campaign with just three players who have stepped on the court for the RiverHawks prior to this year. Senior forward Dakota Caudill had posted the most experience, as he is currently in his fifth year with the program. Senior guard Trey Mohair and sophomore guard Montre' Williams are both in their second seasons donning the green and white. Junior guard Mytaa'h Crawford and freshman guard Mike Thompson were both on the team last season, but they redshirted and did not see any playing time. In total, NSU's current lineup features eight newcomers. That includes one senior transfer (Killven Samuel), five junior transfers (Erick Broadnax, Braxton Williams, Javon Wallace, KD Moore, Stefon Rich) and two true freshmen (Peyton Pratt, Tanner Mouse). There is also another junior transfer (Scott Kingsley) and two more true freshmen (Gordon Hill, Trent Cantrell) who are sitting out the season.
 
SEASON TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE
Season ticket packages have been announced by the NSU Athletics Department for the 2015-16 Northeastern State basketball seasons. Prices begin as low as $95 for an adult general admission ticket for the 28-game home portion of the upcoming men's and women's basketball schedules. Season chair back seats are $145 each. Both teams will compete 14 times inside the NSU Event Center, which is the top NCAA Division II facility in the region and one of the premier D-II facilities in the entire country. 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 28 home contests, and excellent view of the 78,200 square foot multipurpose event center. Also for convenience, the NSU Athletics Department will continue utilizing online ticketing for football and basketball. Online ticketing allows for advanced ticket sales. All fans are required to show a ticket prior to entering an NSU football or basketball contest. NSU students and faculty/staff are allowed free admittance, but NSU ID's are not accepted as a form of entry. The RiverHawks are in their fourth year in the MIAA. Both the men's and women's programs have qualified for the MIAA Championship playoffs all three years since joining the league.
 
TICKETS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY IN 2015-16
All fans wishing to attend an NSU home 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 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 for the past two years with a 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.