TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State men's basketball resumes MIAA play in 2025 with a road trip to Pittsburg State, tipping off against the Gorillas on Saturday at John Lance Arena at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday's game can be viewed on The MIAA Network. A listening option is also available, as Orry Phillips will be on the call from Pittsburg on Lakes Country 102.1.

A quick look back 

Northeastern State (8-4, 2-1 MIAA) earned a 68-47 victory over Ozark Christian Thursday night at the NSU Event Center to open the fresh year with a triumphant effort. Bryson Smith led with 19 points alongside four steals in the victory, while Ethan Blackmon logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The RiverHawks head into this weekend with their best 12-game start in the Havens era, as they seek their first MIAA postseason appearance since the 2022-23 season with 16 conference contests left.

About Pittsburg State (7-5, 3-0 MIAA)

The Gorillas re-entered MIAA action Thursday night against Arkansas-Fort Smith, defending John Lance Arena in a 70-59 result over the Lions. At 3-0 in league play, the team has found a push in scoring and on the glass from Avery Taggart (14.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game), who holds the highest per-game scoring and rebounding average across the roster. 

The Gorillas have three additional players averaging at least 10.8 PPG, boasting an offense that sits in eighth in the MIAA in scoring (74.1 PPG). The group sits inside the league's top five in three-point efficiency (36.6%), while they hold opponents to makes on just 40.2% of field goal tries and 30.7% of attempts from outside the arc, good for third and fourth in the conference.

The Series

NSU is 23-55 across program history against PSU, but have earned wins in three of their last four against the Gorillas. Jaxon Jones, Keon Edwards and Ethan Blackmon all reached double figures against Pittsburg State in last season's 97-73 loss to the Gorillas at John Lance Arena. Despite shooting 50.8% (30-of-59) as a team, the RiverHawks surrendered a 64.3% (36-of-56) success rate on field goals to the opposition in the loss.

The series is one of the oldest across Northeastern State basketball, dating back to almost a century ago. The first meeting took place in Pittsburg on Dec. 21, 1927, while the teams have met in every decade since.

Up Next

A three-game homestand begins next week with Central Oklahoma facing the RiverHawks inside the NSU Event Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9.