TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State heads to Edmond Thursday for its sixth appearance in the MIAA Tournament and will face Missouri Western in a No. 4 vs. No. 5 seeding matchup. 

Due to weather, the entire tournament was pushed back a day and will now start on Thursday.  

The RiverHawks (28-23) closed its season, winning five connective games, with head coach Clay Davis claiming win No. 256 in the finale to become the program's winnings NCAA coach.

Northeastern State and Missouri Western have met three times previously in the Association's postseason tournament, the last being the 2013 Championship game.  The Griffons have won all three meetings against the RiverHawks.   Each of the previous three doubleheaders has resulted in splits in the regular season. 

Missouri Western won eight consecutive games to finish its season and holds a 27-20 overall mark.

Thursday's winner will face either top-seed Washburn or No. 8 seed Emporia State Thursday at 4 p.m.  The loser will play at 11 a.m. earlier in the day against either program in the elimination bracket. 

MIAA Tournament is a double-elimination format.  The RiverHawks are 7-10 overall in the MIAA Tournament and are 1-4 in the first game while 4-1 in their first elimination game.