Northeastern State (0-3) vs. #23 UA-Fort Smith (4-2)
Nov. 22, 2016 | 7:30 p.m. | NSU Event Center
Northeastern State vs. Friends (3-4)
Nov. 26, 2016 | 3:30 p.m. | NSU Event Center
Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Game Notes

The Headline: Northeastern State will open a three game home stand that will cross through the Thanksgiving holiday.  The RiverHawks will play Friends University on Saturday afternoon and then open MIAA play on Nov. 30 with Missouri Western State.

The Series: Northeastern State will see UA-Fort Smith for the fourth year in a row with the RiverHawks trailing in the young series 3-0; NSU has not faced Friends in the NCAA era.
 
Last time out for NSU: Northeastern State nearly upended NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin 75-70 on the road in an exhibition for the RiverHawks but it was a countable contest for SFA.  The RiverHawks led at the half and had an 11 point second half lead before SFA overtook NSU in the final minute of the game to keep their home winning streak alive at 30.  NSU led for 26 minutes with Montre' Williams and Tyler Williams both leading the RiverHawks with 14 points.  The 'Jacks edged NSU in rebounds 38-to-36 but the RiverHawks dominated on the offensive glass with 18 to SFA's nine. 

Last time out for UAFS: UA-Fort Smith beat fellow MIAA program, Central Missouri 82-75 on Saturday in Fort Smith.  The Lions shot a blazing 60-percent on the floor against the Mules with five players in double-figures.  Central Missouri was nearly doubled on the glass with Fort Smith 42 rebounds, 20 more than UCM.

Scouting UAFS: The Lions were picked to win the Heartland Conference and landed at number-23 in the NABC Division II Poll after finishing the season with a 23-9 record and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. UAFS return three starters and their top three scorers from last season – senior guards Seth Youngblood and Alex Cooper and junior guard DaVaunta Thomas. Youngblood and Cooper were named to the Preseason All-Heartland Conference Team.  Through six games this season, Youngblood is averaging nearly 20 point a game and five rebounds; Thomas is UAFS' second leading scorer with nearly 16 points and seven rebounds per outing. 

Last time out for Friends: The Falcons will be playing Sterling College prior to facing the RiverHawks.  On Nov. 19, Friends beat Bethel College on the road 83-74.

Scouting Friends: Friends were picked fifth by the coaches in the KCAC preseason poll after finishing 12-18 last season.  Senior Kaleb Ratliff was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a program record 12 blocks and 17 points in the opening week against USAO.  Friends have shot the ball at 42.9-percent through seven games this season with four in double figures.  Jordan Murdock is leading Friends with 18.6 points per game and Kyler Steading is the teams leading rebounder with seven per game.