TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State women's basketball team will close out 2025 and its non-conference schedule with a first-time matchup at UT Dallas on Wednesday afternoon. NSU last played on Dec. 21, hosting Missouri Southern in Tahlequah.

The RiverHawks enter the contest with a 9-2 record and will look to secure their 10th win of the season to close out the calendar year. Northeastern State has reached double-digit wins by year's end only once since the start of the 2011-12 campaign, when it finished with 11 victories.

McKenzie Smith leads NSU with averages of 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. As a team, the RiverHawks rank second nationally at the free-throw line, shooting 81.6 percent.

A Quick Look Back
Northeastern State closed out its home schedule for the calendar year with a 60-55 loss to Missouri Southern.

The RiverHawks battled back to within one point on five occasions, including in the final two minutes of play. Despite being limited to just three made field goals in the period, the Lions converted all 10 of their free-throw attempts down the stretch to maintain the lead and secure the win.

NSU shot 30.5 percent (18-of-59) from the field for the game. After knocking down 31 three-pointers over the previous three contests, the RiverHawks were held to 3-of-22 (13.6 percent) shooting from beyond the arc. Smith led the team with 12 points, while Reese Shirey and Gabrielle Tilley added 11 points apiece. Smith also paced NSU on the glass with eight rebounds, and Snowda Watie contributed four of the team's eight steals.

About UT Dallas
UT Dallas enters the matchup with a 5-5 record and is in its final year of NCAA Division II provisional status after beginning its transition from Division III in 2023. This season marks the Comets' first competing in the Lone Star Conference. UT Dallas closed its pre-holiday schedule with conference wins over Sul Ross and Western New Mexico.

Umi Otsuka leads the Comets with 15.8 points per game. She transferred to UT Dallas from Southern Nazarene.

Oklahoma Baptist is a common opponent between the two teams. The Comets fell to OBU, 64-54, in Richardson, Texas, while the RiverHawks defeated the Bison 83-77 in their season opener in Weatherford.

Up Next
Northeastern State will return home to host Pittsburg State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., as MIAA play resumes for the remainder of the season.