TAHLEQUAH -- The RiverHawks will open their season Friday afternoon with its first non-conference game in nearly two years in the Central Region Classic at Hamilton Field House on the campus of Central Oklahoma. Northeastern State begins with UMary (N.D.) in the first of two games.
Northeastern State and intrastate rivals Central Oklahoma are the representatives from the MIAA, with Northwestern Oklahoma State as the Great American Conference representative.
Northwestern will face Central Friday evening before facing the RiverHawks on the following day.
The RiverHawks will tip-off at 1 p.m. in both contests and will be streamed PPV on The MIAA Network.
The Setup
- 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.
- This weekend's contests will be the first time since Nov. 30, 2019, that the RiverHawks have played a team that wasn't in the MIAA.
Storylines
- In October, Northeastern State was picked to finish in 11th place in both the MIAA Coaches and Media Polls.
- 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.
- Newcomer Maleeah Langstaff will bring plenty of game-ready experience, starting in 69 games and playing in 82 at Winthrop.
- 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.
- Bri Wietelman from Oklahoma Christian Academy during her senior year, the 6-foot-1 forward averaged 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, and four blocks. She finished her career with 1,281 points, 710 rebounds, and 290 blocks.
- 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.
- Morgan Lee leads NSU's returning group in experience with 76 contests entered and making 46 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.
About UMary
- Opened the season last weekend going 1-2 in Billings, Montana at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic.
- The Marauders are projected to finish 11th in the NSIC and sixth in the NSIC North according to the NSIC preseason coaches' rankings.
- Senior forward Lexie Schneider was named a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Player to Watch, Schneider led the NSIC in rebounding last season as she averaged 8.4 rebounds per game and was second on the team in scoring after averaging 12.5 ppg.
- Head coach Rick Neumann enters his 10th season as the Marauders head coach.
Last Time They Met
Northeastern State 39, UMary 51 | Nov. 9, 2019 | Alva, Okla.
- The RiverHawks shot 30.9-percent (17-55) from the field, and were limited at the free-throw line with only two opportunities.
- UMary took advantage of a four-minute cold spell by the RiverHawks to score eight unanswered to take a 23-18 lead into the locker room.
Series Notes
- Northeastern State has only played UMary once previously.
About Northwestern Okla.
- The Lady Rangers went 6-14 last season and 4-13 in GAC play.
- Traveled to Tabor College for an exhibition on Nov. 5 and won 64-55.
- Northwestern was picked to finish in 11th place in the GAC.
- Led by fifth year head coach Tasha Diesselhorst.
Last Time They Met
Northeastern State 59, Northwestern Okla. 71 | Nov. 8, 2019 | Alva, Okla.
- Northeastern State had three in double-digit scoring, but fouls and free throws controlled the storyline.
- The RiverHawks were doubled-up 26-to-13 on fouls, with the Lady Rangers scoring 24 points at the free-throw line.
- Zaira Collins had ten points as NSU's leading returning scorer.
Series Notes
- Northeastern State is 15-13 all-time against Northwestern Oklahoma.
- The fourth overall neutral court meeting with the Lady Rangers, NSU won 82-67 in the last meeting between the two schools in Edmond.
- Series started in 1982.
