TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State will make a rare trip south of the Red River this weekend to play in Texas A&M-Commerce's Hoopsgiving to face UT Tyler for the first time and hosts A&M-Commerce for the final time as an NCAA Division II member.
The RiverHawks are in the midst of a five-game stretch where they will face away from home, with this weekend's games concluding non-conference play.
Northeastern State last played on Saturday at Oklahoma Baptist and fell 74-60 to the Bison.
The Setup
- Sunday's meeting with the Lions is the first-ranked team NSU will see this season.
- 2018 is the last time Northeastern State has played a regular-season game in Texas.
- Northeastern State has only played three times on Sunday under head coach Fala Suiaunoa.
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 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 is averaging a double-double for NSU through four games with just over 11 points and 11 rebounds per outing.
- 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 is averaging 12.3 points per game.
- 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 had 22 points at Oklahoma Baptist last time out on 8-for-12 shooting.
- 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 UT Tyler
- Earned a 20 point season-opening win against LeTourneau and lost to Henderson State on Saturday. They beat Southern Arkansas on Wednesday 78-72
- Was picked to finish 16th out of 17 teams in the Lone Star Conference but had one first-place vote.
- UT Tyler is in their first season of NCAA Division II membership after a four-year transition from NCAA Division III status.
- The Patriots went winless last season, going 0-14, and went 3-23 during the 2019-20 season.
- UT Tyler has six returners and brought in three NCAA Division I transfers. Colorado State transfer Liah Davis leads the Patriots with 20 points in the first three games and averaged 11 rebounds.
- First-year head coach Rebecca Alvidrez leads them.
Series Notes
- Northeastern State has not faced UT Tyler previously.
About Texas A&M-Commerce
- The Lions are ranked number-7 nationally in the coaches' poll and number-4 by the media.
- Last played on Tuesday, beating Southeastern Okla. 71-44 in Durant.
- A&M-Commerce has three averaging at least ten points a game 2021 WBCA All-American Dyani Robinson leads the team with 16 points per game.
- Through four games, the Lions are +10 in the rebounding battle over their foes.
- Texas A&M-Commerce was voted to finish second in the Lone Star Conference.
- Led by eighth-year head coach Jason Burton.
Last Time They Met
Northeastern State 50, Texas A&M-Commerce 74 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Tahlequah, Okla.
- Texas A&M-Commerce led from horn-to-horn and had two players with double-doubles
- Maegan Lee had seven points in the start against Commerce.
Series Notes
- Northeastern State leads the overall series 17-6 over the Lions who have won the last two meetings.
- In Commerce, NSU holds a 6-5 record overall.
- Sunday will be the final meeting as NCAA Division II members with Texas A&M-Commerce transitioning to Division I play next season.
