TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State nearly upset #12 Central Oklahoma in a 43-39 defensive MIAA battle on Saturday at the NSU Event Center. 
 
The RiverHawks held the Bronchos to 23.6-percent shooting which was their best effort since Nov. 13, 2015 against Northwestern Oklahoma where NSU held the Rangers to 24.2-percent.   NSU's rebounding effort of 50 matched their season best that was set in the second game of the season, and it was the third time this year the RiverHawks grabbed more boards than their opponent.
 
"Our defensive effort was where we wanted it to be," said head coach Randy Gipson.  "We felt like we defended well last week against Emporia State but we didn't rebound, and today we did both so I think we are making progress in that, we just didn't shoot well.  There were a few opportunities for us to hit shots down the stretch, we just didn't get anything to go."

"The overall team energy was good, I'm proud of them, I thought they played together real hard," added Gipson.  "This was the most alert we have been on defense probably all year and I think we got something here that we can build on."
 
Rylie Torrey led the RiverHawks with 12 points and she grabbed six rebounds, Cailyn Long scored eight with a team high nine rebounds; Mary Jane Buschmann added seven with five boards.
 
The RiverHawks shot a season low 25.4-percent (15-59) against a Bronchos' squad who had the sixth best field goal defense in the nation heading into Saturday's contest.  Central Oklahoma went 13-55 from the field and made six treys on 24 attempts, along with 39 rebounds,
 
Northeastern State went toe-to-toe with Central Oklahoma out of the gates playing tough defense on the floor.  At the half, NSU held the Bronchos to 21.4-percent (6-28) shooting, with five of their buckets coming from the arc.  Long opened up a 7-0 run to end the first half with a trey in the final two minutes, the RiverHawks held UCO scoreless for the final 2:25 to take a 21-19 lead at the intermission.
 
Central Oklahoma came out of the locker room in the second half with four points to retake a lead that they held until Alexis Hill hit a jumper to tie the contest at 34 with 8:18 in the fourth period.    The Bronchos retook the edge with a pair of free throws and a jumper before Torrey and Buschmann tied the game for a fifth time at 39 with a 5-1 run. 
 
Northeastern State held the Bronchos silent on their side of the floor and made four attempts at a trey for a the lead but a late steal and a foul with 1:03 left put UCO at the line where they took a 41-39 advantage.  The RiverHawks turned the ball over in their next two possessions as UCO sank two more at the line for the win.
 
Saturday's win for Central Oklahoma will send them to 17-1 overall and 8-1 in MIAA play; the RiverHawks fall to 6-11 overall and 2-7 league action.
 
Northeastern State will be on the road in Joplin, Mo. on Wednesday, January 25 to face Missouri Southern.