TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State hosts Bacone this Wednesday evening for the women's basketball team's lone home non-conference contest this season.
The RiverHawks split their weekend in Edmond with a 70-61 loss to UMary and upending Northwestern Oklahoma 73-56
NSU women's basketball is having its annual Veteran's Appreciation Night at the Event Center. Fans who wear camo to the game can get a free popcorn with a soda purchase in the concession stand. Additionally, in the fourth quarter, four $50 gift cards to RiverHawk Nutrition will be given away.
The Setup
- The RiverHawks have won their last two home openers
- Wednesday will be the ninth home opener for the RiverHawks inside the NSU Event Center.
- Bacone will be Northeastern State's first non-NCAA foe since Nov. 13, 2019.
Storylines
- The RiverHawks return Zaria Collins to the floor, an All-MIAA selection leading the team with 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Collins is leading NSU's scoring through two games with 14.5 points per game.
- Newcomer Maleeah Langstaff will bring plenty of game-ready experience, starting in 69 games and playing in 82 at Winthrop. Langstaff recorded a double-double in her second game at NSU with ten points and ten rebounds against Northwestern Okla.
- After transferring from Cypress College, California native Jessica Barrow, a redshirt from last season at NSU, will be an added offensive threat. She averaged 18 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in California. Barrow led the RiverHawks in scoring in their win over Northwestern Okla. with 20 points and shooting 4-for-5 at the arc.
- Lee and Lay: The RiverHawks have twin-sisters and three-year letterwinners Maegan Lee and Morgan Lee, plus a true-freshman Courtney Lee from Sallisaw on their roster this season. Additionally, they have Coffeyville CC transfer Kailyn Lay as a newcomer. Maegan Lee paced the RiverHawks in scoring with 21 in their season opener against UMary.
- Morgan Lee leads NSU's returning group in experience with 78 contests entered and making 48 starts. She averaged 5.6 points and 1.7 assists per game one season ago for the RiverHawks.
- Height will be a difference for NSU's freshman group, with all four checking in at 5-11 or taller.
- Fala Suiaunoa opens her fifth season at the helm of the Northeastern State women's basketball program.
- The RiverHawks are entering their tenth season as members of the MIAA and 25th season as an NCAA Division II program.
- In October, Northeastern State was picked to finish in 11th place in both the MIAA Coaches and Media Polls.
About Bacone
- Entered the week with a 1-9 record and is at Central Baptist Tuesday evening.
- The Warriors have lost six straight, with their lone win being a 78-67 victory against Randall.
- Stats have been reported for seven of their games this season and they are averaging 53.9 points per game and shooting 19.9-percent at the arc.
- Taisha Big Crow leads the Warriors with 13.5 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game.
- Jayla McIntosh was the lone player to start in all seven reported contests.
- Bacone will play Rogers State on Thursday evening.
Last Time They Met
Northeastern State 96, Bacone 49 | Nov. 13, 2019 | Tahlequah, Okla.
- Northeastern State shot 51.4-percent on the floor (37-72) and out-rebounded Bacone 35-to-23.
- Bacone scored the first five points of the game and trailed the rest of the way.
Series Notes
- The RiverHawks matched its program record for points in a game with 126 in the 2018 meeting. Northeastern State's 75 points at the half broke a MIAA scoring record.
- Northeastern State leads the series 6-0 with an average win margin of 43.2 points.
- Bacone hosted one game in the series in 2002.
