TAHLEQUAH — Northeastern State heads to Topeka this weekend for a pair of non-conference matchups, opening with MSU Denver on Friday at 5 p.m. before facing former MIAA opponent Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games will be played inside Lee Arena on the campus of Washburn University.
The RiverHawks women's basketball team is aiming for its first 4–0 start since the 2010–11 season.
A Quick Look Back
Northeastern State extended its winning streak to three with a 74–58 win over Ouachita Baptist in the home opener.
McKenzie Smith continued to pace the RiverHawks' scoring attack, finishing with 17 points from mid-range and the free-throw line.
Deyanna Douglas pulled down eight rebounds and recorded three of NSU's nine steals. Outside of three-point shooting, the RiverHawks led the Tigers in every statistical category, including a dominant rebounding margin of plus-22 while shooting 6.9% better from the field.
About MSU Denver
MSU Denver opened the season with two road losses, including a 101-point outing by West Texas A&M. The Roadrunners are under new leadership this year following the retirement of longtime head coach Tanya Haave after 25 seasons. Former McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy took over the program this season.
The series: This will be the first meeting between MSU Denver and Northeastern State.
About Southwest Baptist
Southwest Baptist enters the weekend 1–1 after a 102–50 win over Ozark Christian and an 84–61 loss to Emporia State. The Bearcats' roster includes 14 players, featuring five returners and nine newcomers. SBU was picked 13th out of 15 in the GLVC preseason poll after finishing 8–18 a year ago, closing the season on a six-game skid. On neutral courts, the Bearcats have lost five straight, with their last neutral-site win coming in the 2017–18 season.
The series: The RiverHawks and Bearcats last met in the 2018–19 season when both programs were members of the MIAA. Northeastern State holds an 11–10 edge in the all-time series.
Up Next
Northeastern State continues nonconference action next week with a trip to Henderson State.
