SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Northeastern State opened their 2016-17 season on Sunday afternoon with an exhibition game at Missouri State.  The RiverHawks got behind early and couldn't keep pace with Missouri State falling 87-46 in Springfield.
 
NSU challenged themselves early scheduling last season's Missouri Valley Conference Champions and playing a program that won over 20 games and qualified for the NCAA Division I National Tournament.
 
The RiverHawks could not find a shot at the arc and missed their first eight attempts before Miranda Griffin sank NSU's first trey on their first shot in the second period.   However, it would be NSU's only made three-pointer in the first half and they would go 5-for-25 from the field, trailing 39-13 at the intermission.   The Lady Bears made seven treys and went 15-for-28 from the field.
 
In the second half, NSU came out improved and shot better as time continued in Springfield.   The RiverHawks fared better from downtown going 7-for-16 from the arc, connecting on two more than Missouri State.   In the final 20 minutes, NSU was only outscored by their Division I counterparts by eight in each quarter. 
 
Rylie Torrey was NSU's second leading scorer with nine points and Kylie Looney added eight; Griffin had a team high four assists and two steals.
 
Missouri State led in rebounding 51-to-22 and they had four in double-digits with Lee Ann Polowy having a game high 20 points. 
 
Sunday's contest does not count toward either team's overall record.  The RiverHawks will open the regular season with the MIAA/GAC Chanllagne which is hosted by Central Oklahoma.  NSU will face Southeastern Oklahoma at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 in Edmond.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Cailyn Long led the RiverHawks with 14 points, with nine of those points coming in the second half.
- Mary Jane Buschmann returned to the floor for the first time since Jan. 30, 2016 against Lincoln; the NSU senior had a team high five rebounds and three assists.
- Fouls were few and far between on Sunday with NSU having eight which was one fewer than Missouri State.
- Missouri State had 32 points inside the paint and 43 bench points.  NSU had 11 points off of turnovers and four fast break points.
- The RiverHawks went 6-for-7 at the free throw line.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE
LONG, Cailyn 5-13 1-1 14; TORREY, Rylie 3-14 2-2 9; LOONEY, Kylie 3-8 0-0 8; GRIFFIN, Miranda 2-4 0-0 6; STRANGE, Destiny 2-4 1-2 5; BUSCHMANN, Mary Jane 0-8 2-2 2; HILL, Alexis 1-2 0-0 2; BUREAU, Storm 0-1 0-0 0; CHAMBERLIN, Hailey 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 16-57 6-7 46.
 
MISSOURI STATE
Polowy,Lee Ann 7-7 0-0 20; Willard,Alexa 7-8 1-2 16; Fruendt,Liza 5-11 0-0 12; Ealy,Shameka 4-8 0-0 10; Buckley,Aubrey 2-7 4-4 8; Calip,Brice 3-7 0-0 6; Swartz,Rachel 2-6 0-0 4; Gitzen,Danielle 2-6 0-0 4; Hughes,Lexi 1-4 0-0 3; Osemenam,Onye 1-1 0-0 2; Holt,Audrey 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 34-65 7-8 87.
 
Northeastern State............ 8    5   15   18  -   46
Missouri State................   22   17   23   25  -   87
 
3-point goals--Northeastern State 8-28 (LONG, Cailyn 3-8; GRIFFIN, Miranda 2-4; LOONEY, Kylie 2-6; TORREY, Rylie 1-7; BUSCHMANN, Mary Jane 0-3), Missouri State 12-25 (Polowy,Lee Ann 6-6; Fruendt,Liza 2-6; Ealy,Shameka 2-4; Willard,Alexa 1-1; Hughes,Lexi 1-2; Gitzen,Danielle 0-2; Swartz,Rachel 0-1; Calip,Brice 0-1; Buckley,Aubrey 0-2). Fouled out--Northeastern State-None, Missouri State-None. Rebounds--Northeastern State 22 (BUSCHMANN, Mary Jane 5), Missouri State 51 (Swartz,Rachel 11). Assists--Northeastern State 12 (GRIFFIN, Miranda 4), Missouri State 22 (Gitzen,Danielle 5; Hughes,Lexi 5). Total fouls--Northeastern State 8, Missouri State 9.
Technical fouls--Northeastern State-None, Missouri State-None. A-2012