TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State women's basketball tips off MIAA play this week, hosting Arkansas–Fort Smith on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for Salute to Service Night. Free admission is available for all veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers.

After battling the Lions, the RiverHawks hit the road for Wichita to take on Newman Thursday at 5:30 p.m., their final game before finals week.

NSU is off to a sizzling 6-1 start, its best opening since the 2011–12 campaign, powered by four players averaging double figures. McKenzie Smith leads the squad with just over 14 points per game, while Annaston Brown adds more than 11 points per outing off the bench.

A Quick Look Back
Northeastern State shook off a slow shooting night to secure a 65-59 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday.

The RiverHawks struggled offensively early, shooting just 7-of-29 (24.1%) in the first half and sinking only one of their first ten three-point attempts. Southeastern opened on a 14-2 run and held a 30-23 halftime advantage.

Reese Shirey and McKenzie Smith shared team-high scoring honors with 13 points apiece, also tying for the rebounding lead with seven each. Makala Bingley dished a team-best three assists and matched Shirey with three steals. Tilley helped ice the game at the free-throw line, going 7-of-8 in a 12-point showing.

About Arkansas–Fort Smith
Arkansas–Fort Smith (1-6) enters having dropped all but one game this season—their lone win, a 74-65 victory over Drury at their Thanksgiving Classic. Tuesday marks their first conference game. Freshman guard Haleigh Jackson has been a bright spot, scoring at least 16 points in each of her last three starts and averaging 5.9 rebounds per game.

Series notes: NSU and UAFS are tied 6-6 all-time. The Lions won last year's meeting, 81-75, in Tahlequah. The RiverHawks are 0-2 against them in conference play.

About Newman
The Jets (3-3) also open MIAA play Thursday after dropping their final seven league games of the 2024–25 season. Newman is 3-1 at home this year, with the lone loss an 89-54 setback against Eastern New Mexico. Junior forward Jaeden McMillin leads the Jets with just over 15 points per game and erupted for a career-high 25 points in last year's matchup with NSU in Wichita.

Series notes: NSU leads the series 10-3 and has won the last four meetings. The RiverHawks hold a 6-1 edge over Newman in Tahlequah.

Up Next
NSU will be idle until December 15, when the RiverHawks host Bethany (NAIA) for a weekday kids game at 1 p.m. inside the Event Center.