Game #15
Northeastern State (4-10 MIAA) vs. Emporia State (10-3 MIAA)
Thursday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. | Emporia, Kansas
Opening tip
• Sophomores Tre'Zure Jobe and
Zaria Collins rank second and third in MIAA scoring. They are the only players with "z" in their first names as well. Collins did not play in the first meeting.
• The Lady Hornets hold opponents to 36.5 percent shooting while Northeastern State allows 45.8 percent.
• NSU has made 55 3-pointers while ESU leads the conference with 141. NSU holds opponents to 28.4 percent from deep in 2020-21.
• The RiverHawks and Lady Hornets both take of the ball as ESU averages 12.8 turnovers per game and NSU commits 13.4.
• The meeting in Emporia is one of six MIAA contests Thursday. NSU is 1-4 this season on Thursday.
• The RiverHawks are 1-6 on the road compared to the Lady Hornets' 6-2 mark.
• After winning at Lincoln in double overtime on Jan. 23, the RiverHawks are seeking their first back-to-back road victories since 2018-19.
• Northeastern State has three players who score in double figures; Collins (18.1), Hayes (14.7), Sanchez (11.3). It also has three players who pull down five or more rebounds; Collins (6.9), Hayes (6.2), Ho (5.2).
• While there is no limit to fan attendance, Emporia State is requiring proper social distance and masking.
The series with Emporia State
• Following a 75-67 home win in 2018, Emporia State has won six straight over the RiverHawks. In the meeting earlier this season, ESU won 78-64.
• Inside the Event Center, the RiverHawks are 2-5 against Emporia State. They are 2-9 all time in Emporia and have not won away from Tahlequah since Feb. 15, 2015.
• NSU's first NCAA meeting with the Lady Hornets came in the Sweet 16 in 2010.
• As head coach at NSU, Bullock is 1-6 against Emporia State.
Lady Hornets notes
• Have five players who score in double figures and are led by Jobe with 19.4 points per game.
• Score third most points in conference (71.4) and allow 62.7 per contest.
• Have made 141 3-point attempts this season which is the best in the MIAA. They convert at 35.1 percent.
• Have a 3.31 turnover margin; the best in the conference.
• Lead MIAA with 9.92 steals per game. Jobe accounts for 2.8.
• Karsen Schultz is shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc and makes nearly three per game.
• Are returning home to host the RiverHawks, the Lady Hornets are 4-1 at home this season and had a home winning streak of 19 games dating back to 2018-19.
Looking back
• Northeastern State rallied from a 15 point deficit in the third quarter and led with under five minutes remaining but fell 68-61 Saturday to Missouri Southern inside the NSU Event Center.
• Collins paced the RiverHawks in scoring for the eighth time this season with 13 points. Hayes had a pair of big treys during NSU's run in the second half and finished with 12 points.
Kiarra Brooks led NSU off the bench with ten points, a season-high for the junior.
• The RiverHawks shot 44.8 percent on the floor (26-58), and despite being undersized to Southern, they dominated the paint outscoring the Lions 42-to-28.
Glancing ahead
• The RiverHawks will visit Washburn Thursday Feb. 6. The Ichabods will return the home-and-home series Tuesday.
Undersized? Big heart
• Collins has cemented herself on the top of opposing team scouting reports this season. She averages 18.1 points shooting 46.3 from the field and 6.9 rebounds. The sophomore stands 5-foot 9-inches, but goes to battle in the paint and as a result leads the MIAA with 3.2 offensive rebounds per game, it's 46th nationally. In the three games she missed NSU is 0-3. She also ranks second in the MIAA playing 37.4 minutes per game which is sixth of all forwards nationally.
Milestone watch
• Sanchez is 32 points from 500 points for her NSU career.
Maegan Lee is 12 rebounds from 200.
Taking care of the ball
• The RiverHawks rank 24th nationally in turnovers per game with 13.4. It's the fewest since 2016-17 (13.0). NSU is fifth in the MIAA.
