Game #1
Northeastern State (0-0 MIAA) vs. Emporia State (2-0 MIAA)
Saturday, November 28 at 3:30 p.m. | Tahlequah, Okla. - NSU Event Center

Game Coverage	goriverhawksgo.com/coverage.aspx
	Fan Information - Game Program
NSU Game Notes	Game Notes
ESU Game Notes	Game Notes
Live Audio	NSU Digital Network
Live Video	The MIAA Network

Opening Tip 

• Northeastern State will have one of its latest starts to the season in recent memory after having its first two games postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.  Not since the 1950s has NSU started their season later. 
• Saturday's contest will be the NSU debut for nine student-athletes and coaching staff.  Head Coach Ja Havens is a graduate of NSU and the first since Ken Hayes (1983–97) to hold a degree from the institution and later lead the program. 
• The starting five for NSU will have a different look, with four student-athletes graduating from the 2019-20 lineup.  DeVonta Prince is the lone returner to see opening minutes and return; the senior started in four games last season.
• Northeastern State has won their last two season openers and three of their last four home openers.
• Within the NCAA Central Region, the MIAA is the only one playing at the moment of the three conferences.  Both the Northeastern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Great American Conference will not start play until Jan. 2021.  
• The MIAA Coaches voted the RiverHawks to finish in 13th this season.  

NSU individual player notes are on page one of the game notes.

NSU's last five against Emporia State
2/27/20 - W, 93-76 (A)
2/15/20 - W, 69-67 (H)
3/6/19  - L, 68-72 (N) at Kansas City (MIAA Tournament) 
2/28/19 - L, 76-83 (H)
2/16/19 - L, 64-70 (A)

The Series with Emporia State

• Northeastern State has won the last two meetings between the two programs.  A win by NSU would split the series at 12 wins apiece. 
• The RiverHawks have closed out the previous two regular seasons with Emporia State.
• This will be the fourth November meeting with Emporia State and the first MIAA meeting in the month. 
• The RiverHawks handed the Hornets at non-contested 17 point win in the last meeting at Emporia.  It snapped a streak of seven consecutive meetings that were decided by single digits. 
• NSU has led by at-least 13-points in the last three meetings.
• Both teams have exchanged wins in Tahlequah in the last four meetings.
• Head Coach Ja Havens has not faced Emporia State.  

About the Hornets

• Is looking for their first 3-0 start in MIAA play for the first time since 2010-11.
• Opened the MIAA schedule with two road wins for just the second time in school history.
• After two games the Hornets are second in the MIAA in scoring defense and third in field goal percentage defense, and 3-point field percentage.
• Was picked just ahead of NSU by one point in the MIAA Coaches' poll and is picked to finish in 12th place. 
• Will open their season to no fans through December.
• Hampered by injuries during the 2019-20 season with three season ending injuries to three starters and players missing a total of 88 games.
• Despite all the injuries the Hornets went 10-18 overall and 9-7 at home.  

Looking Back

• Northeastern State finished the 2018-19 season with an 18-11 record, tied for fifth in the MIAA.  This was the teams first winning campaign since the 2013-14 season. 
• At home last season, the RiverHawks went 10-4, winning three of their last four games. 
• In the last two seasons, NSU in the month of November has went 11-3.