TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State returns to Jack Dobbins Field House to host Ecclesia (Ark.) Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The RiverHawks will look to finish 2023 strong and put an end to a five-game losing streak in the process. 

The Setup
- Ja Havens is in his fourth season as head men's basketball coach at Northeastern State and his eleventh season overall as a head coach. 
- The RiverHawks are in their 12th season as members of the MIAA and 27th season as an NCAA Division II program.  
- Ecclesia concludes a six-game non-conference slate for NSU, while the Royals are also the second opponent from outside the NCAA ranks that the RiverHawks have faced this season. 

Storylines
- For a second consecutive season, the RiverHawks return to their old home, Jack Dobbins Field House. JDF served as the home floor for NSU men's basketball from 1955-2013 and is still used today as a secondary practice court for both basketball teams. The NSU men played last season at the venue for the Jack Dobbins Legacy Game against Arkansas Baptist on Nov. 21, 2022, taking a 74-60 victory. 
- The RiverHawks have won three straight in non-conference play, highlighted by two shooting performances of at least 54.7% across them. The team has also made at least eight three-pointers and tallied at least 19 assists in their three most recent wins against non-conference opponents. 
- NSU will look to bounce back offensively after being held to 48 points on a season-worst 30.9% shooting (17-of-55) and 23.9% from three-point range (5-of-21) against Washburn in Topeka, Kan. on Dec. 19. 
- The duo of true freshmen in Seth Pratt and Ethan Blackmon proved to be two of their top playmakers on the offensive end against the Ichabods, as Blackmon led the team in scoring (14 points), while Pratt reached double figures for a second consecutive game with 11. 
- Trey Quartlebaum tied with Pratt for second on the team with 11 points in the loss to WU. The graduate student has now reached double figures in three of his last four and remains as the team's top scoring threat inside conference play (12.4 PPG vs. MIAA foes). 
- Anthony Allen and Caison Hartloff continued to affirm their statuses as two of the team's top defenders against Washburn. Allen accounted for three of NSU's four blocks against the Ichabods, scoring his seventh multi-block game of the campaign, while Hartloff had three steals to tie Jaxon Jones for the team lead on the season (nine). 
- The RiverHawks will aim to limit Ecclesia's work in the passing lanes after surrendering a season-most 24 assisted baskets to WU in their most recent performance. 
- Northeastern State has experienced some recent struggles at the free throw line, as the team is 24-of-41 (58.5%) across their last two games. 

Northeastern State vs. Ecclesia // December 30 at 3:30 p.m. // Live Coverage

About Ecclesia
- Ecclesia most recently took the court in a 125-75 losing result against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. After Saturday, the Royals will make the trip to Baton Rouge, La. to do battle with another NCAA Division I school in Southern. 
- Vlad Chira leads the program he once played for as the head men's basketball coach at Ecclesia. Chira is in his first season as the head coach after spending time previously on the staff as an assistant. 
- The Royals place just outside the NCCAA's top half in scoring (75.4 PPG), but have surrendered 90.4 per game. 
- Ryan Reed has been the team's top offensive weapon this season, as the senior averages 20.7 PPG. Reed has also displayed a knack for picking pockets, ranking second among Ecclesia players with 17 steals. 

Last Time They Met
Northeastern State 73, Ecclesia 46 | Nov. 18, 2017 | Tahlequah, Okla.

- The RiverHawks picked up a commanding victory despite being held to 38.4% shooting (28-of-73) on the day. 
- Jamir Andrews and Marquise Harris led the way for the offensive attack, scoring 18 and 16 points in the victorious effort.
- Harris played a leading role in NSU's +12 performance on the glass with a team-best 11 rebounds. 

Series Notes
- Northeastern State is 6-0 all-time against Ecclesia.
- All of NSU's victories have come by at least 18 points, while three of their last four have been decided by at least 40 points. 
- Saturday will be just the second meeting between the schools since 2017 after facing off five times from 2009-13. 

Coming Up
Northeastern State returns to MIAA play with Northwest Missouri coming to the NSU Event Center on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m.