TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Northeastern State women's basketball team will tip off its 2025-26 campaign with an exhibition game at Missouri State on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. inside Great Southern Bank Arena.

Media Coverage
There will be no video or audio coverage for the exhibition. Live stats will be provided by Missouri State.

About the Matchup
Tuesday's meeting marks the fourth time the RiverHawks have faced an NCAA Division I opponent under head coach Keith Ferguson. Northeastern State opened last season with three straight Division I exhibitions and last met Missouri State nine years ago, which also served as the final exhibition contest for NSU Hall of Fame coach Randy Gibson.

About the RiverHawks
Northeastern State was picked ninth in the MIAA Coaches Poll and 11th in the Media Poll after finishing 11-17 overall and 7-12 in league play last season.

Sophomore Deyanna Douglas, the team's top returning scorer, averaged 11.4 points per game as a freshman. The RiverHawks return six players from last year's roster, which graduated seven seniors.

Reese Shirey returns after missing nearly all of last season due to injury and is expected to play a key role for NSU. Kansas transfer McKenzie Smith highlights the RiverHawks' nine newcomers. Smith appeared in six games as a freshman with the Jayhawks and was regarded as one of the top prep players out of Texas.

About the Lady Bears
Missouri State went 26-9 last season, including a 15-1 record at home, and reached the second round of the WNIT before falling to Minnesota. The Lady Bears were selected fourth in the Conference USA Preseason Poll.

Faith Lee, a transfer from Little Rock, earned a spot on the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference Team after averaging 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 31 steals last season for the Trojans. Missouri State returns seven players from last year's squad and adds seven newcomers — four transfers and three freshmen.