TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State hits the hardwood on the road with two MIAA contests within the Sunflower state, traveling to face Emporia State (Thursday at 5:30 p.m.) and Newman (Saturday at 1:30 p.m.).

A live broadcast feed will be available for both games on The MIAA Network (PPV). The games can also be listened to live on Lakes Country 102.1 with Orry Phillips on the call. 

A quick look back 

The RiverHawks (7-9, 3-4 MIAA) fell in the second half to Arkansas-Fort Smith in their only game of the last week at the NSU Event Center in an 81-75 decision. Entering the halfway point with the lead (33-32), NSU limped to a -7 second half in the loss. Alex Hill scored a season-high 26 in the matchup and has paced the team in scoring in each of the last three games, logging a combined 66 points across the span.

Deyanna Douglas added a career-high 19 points in the loss and has at least 15 in three of her last four games, while the RiverHawks coughed up the basketball a season-high 23 times against the Lions.

About Emporia State (7-10, 2-6 MIAA)

The Lady Hornets enter the week holding the longest active losing streak in the MIAA at five games, with the last four being decided by at least 11 points. Five of ESU's seven wins have been at home, including both of the team's official league wins. 

The duo of Katie Horyna (16.4 PPG, 47.9 FG%, 5.6 RPG, 4.3 APG) and Gracie Gilpin (12.2 PPG, 36.4 3PT%) pace a Lady Hornets offense that is seventh in scoring (70.5 PPG) and is eighth in three-point percentage (31.4%). Horyna's per-game scoring average is fifth among individuals in the MIAA, while she is sixth in the league in assists per game.

The Series

NSU is 6-24 in the all-time series against ESU, claiming one win across a three-game series from the 2023-24 campaign. The RiverHawks seek their first win in Emporia since a 58-56 overtime win on Feb. 12, 2015.

About Newman (6-11, 1-7 MIAA)

The Jets enter the week after two road losses to Central Missouri (83-41) and Washburn (77-66) on Thursday and Saturday. NU's lone MIAA victory so far occurred in their most recent home contest against Missouri Southern on Jan. 11 (64-61). They host Arkansas-Fort Smith on Thursday night before NSU enters Fugate Gymnasium this weekend. 

The second Newman women's basketball team fielded by former Truman State assistant Amy Briggs ranks at the bottom of the MIAA in scoring (59.4 PPG) and field goal percentage (35.6%). Defensively, the Jets are ninth in points allowed (66.6/game). Jaeden McMillin (12.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG) leads in both scoring and rebounding, while Delainey Wylie is tied for second in the MIAA in blocks per game (1.8).

The Series

Northeastern State has earned wins in nine of twelve meetings in the series, including the last three. Deyanna Douglas (12 points) was one of three NSU individuals to reach double figures and one of six to score at least nine points in a 78-50 win over the Jets at the NSU Event Center on Dec. 5, 2024.

Up Next

The RiverHawks are at home to close January and start February, hosting Pittsburg State (Jan. 30) and Missouri Southern (Feb. 1) at the NSU Event Center.