Northeastern State (2-8, 0-3 MIAA) vs. #1 Northwest Missouri State (10-0, 3-0 MIAA)
Dec. 17, 2016 | 3:30 p.m. | NSU Event Center
Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Game Notes
The headline: The RiverHawks close out 2016 by returning to MIAA play to host top-ranked Northwest Missouri State on Saturday and then travel to Dallas Baptist for the first time in NSU's final non-MIAA contest for the season. In the last three games, Northeastern State has went with three different starting lineups with
Montre' Williams as the RiverHawks lone player to start in all ten. Williams is leading NSU with 15 points game and has connected on 99 treys in his three seasons in a RiverHawks uniform.
Last time out for NSU: Northeastern State came up short at home against Bacone 68-66 on Tuesday night at the NSU Event Center.
Montre' Williams led NSU with 18 points and
Karon Waller added ten in the loss. The RiverHawks shot 36.8-percent (21-57) on the floor and connected on eight treys. Bacone shot 51-percent (25-49) while leading for the majority of the contest on NSU's floor. In rebounding, the Warriors had a 40-34 edge over the RiverHawks; Waller pulled down eight to lead both squads. Neither team shot well from the free-throw line with Bacone missing 12-of-23, Northeastern State was 16-for-23 at the line.
The series with NWMSU: This will be the eleventh meeting between the Bearcats and RiverHawks with Northeastern State trailing in the series 9-1. Last season, the RiverHawks fell in a tightly contested 78-74 game in Maryville, Mo. and at home NSU was a possession back with nine seconds remaining before losing 73-66.
Last time out for NWMSU: The Bearcats were on the floor on Tuesday and picked up an 103-58 win over Missouri Valley College. The Bearcats shot 60.6 percent from the field, connecting on 40-of-66 shots and 11-of-24 from beyond the arc (45.8 percent) and all 12 Northwest players who saw action in the contest scored at least two points in the game. Zach Schneider hit five three pointers to finish with 15 points, three rebounds, an assists and a steal.
Scouting NWMSU: Northwest Missouri State has won their first ten games of the season and 27 of their last 28 games. The Bearcats lone loss during this stretch was against Augustana in last year's NCAA National Championship game. In ten games this season, NWMSU is on top of the MIAA in fewest allowed points per game with 61.9 and they are fourth in overall scoring with 82.1. Additionally, they lead the league in overall field goal percentage and at the three-point arc. Justin Pitts leads the Bearcats in scoring with 19.5 points per game which is fifth highest in the MIAA.
Northeastern State vs. Dallas Baptist (4-4)
Dec. 19, 2016 | 3 p.m. | Dallas, Texas
Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes
The series with DBU: This will be the second meeting between the RiverHawks and Patriots with the two squads facing off on Dec. 6 at the Event Center; Northeastern State would fall 80-65 to Dallas Baptist
Last time out for DBU: Dallas Baptist will host Lubbock Christian on Saturday before facing the RiverHawks to close out the 2016 calendar year.
Scouting DBU: Heading into Tuesday's contest with the RiverHawks, the Patriots are 4-4 for the year, and were picked to finish in third place in the Heartland Conference. Dallas Baptist was last year's Heartland Conference tournament champions to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament. Dallas Baptist saw a modest three game winning streak end at UT-Permian Basin on Dec. 10 by a score of 75-63. The Patriots use an up-tempo offense to average 82.6 points per game with three players averaging over ten points a game. Myles Johnson and Boy Van Vliet both average over 14 points per outing.
