TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northeastern State begins its home schedule with two contests against in-state foes as part of the MIAA/GAC Challenge, facing Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday and Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday. Both games tip off at 5:30 p.m.

Both games will be available on The MIAA Network and can also be heard on the RiverHawks Radio Network on Lakes Country 102.1 in Tahlequah and ESPN 99.9 FM/1550 AM in Tulsa.

A Quick Look Back
NSU competed in the D2CCA Tip-off Classic in Canyon, Texas, from Oct. 30-31, dropping its opener to No. 19 Tampa, 65-57, before earning a dominant 84-66 victory over New Mexico Highlands to close out the trip.

McKenzie Smith led NSU with 17 points in the loss to the Spartans, a contest in which the RiverHawks led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. Reese Shirey paced NSU in rebounds (six) and steals (three), adding 10 points.

E'Niyah Holmes was one of four players to reach double figures against the Cowgirls, leading the way with 17 points in her second game as a RiverHawk. Deyanna Douglas recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds, the most rebounds by an NSU player since 2022.

NSU's 47.5% shooting percentage through its first two games is the team's highest mark at this point in a season since 2011. Smith leads the RiverHawks in shooting efficiency, connecting on 10-of-13 (76.9%) field-goal attempts and 8-of-10 (80.0%) free throws.

Scouting Southwestern Oklahoma State
The Lady Bulldogs entered the season picked third in the Great American Conference (GAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 12-15 overall and 10-12 in GAC play last season. SWOSU opened the season with a convincing 75-49 win over Pittsburg State in Weatherford, Okla., on Monday.

In the victory over the Gorillas, the Lady Bulldogs held their opponents to 17-of-60 shooting (28.3%), Pitt State's lowest shooting percentage in a season opener since 2010. Kelby Beller led SWOSU with 15 points and three steals, while three other starters added 13 points apiece. The Lady Bulldogs also won the rebounding battle, 48-47, with three players recording nine rebounds each.

Landry Allen is among the top returners as the Lady Bulldogs enter their fifth season under Jeff Zinn. Allen earned GAC Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors last season after averaging 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while recording 119 blocks and 59 steals. Sincere Jackson also returns after earning an All-GAC Honorable Mention recognition the previous season, averaging 12.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 46.0% (132-of-287).

Series History
The Lady Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 38-25. The teams will meet for the third consecutive season after the series was dormant for most of a decade. The programs previously met annually from 1994-2017, with the exceptions of the 1995-96 and 2012-13 seasons.

Scouting Oklahoma Baptist
OBU was picked ninth in the GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 14-14 overall and 10-12 in conference play last season. The Bison opened the regular season with a dominant 82-40 victory over Cameron on Monday, with three players reaching double figures and the team shooting 50.8% (33-of-65) from the field.

The Bison return three starters, including Katelyn Davis (10.7 PPG) and Jordyn Anderson (10.4 PPG), who ranked second and third on the team in scoring last season, respectively. Davis led the team with 53 made three-pointers, while Anderson ranked second with 78 made free throws and led the Bison with 80 assists. OBU is led by Bo Overton, who is in his seventh season.

Series History
OBU holds a one-game advantage in the all-time series, 12-11. Fifteen meetings took place before NSU began its NCAA era in 1997, while all eight meetings during the NCAA era have occurred since 2016.

Up Next
The RiverHawks travel to Arkadelphia to face Ouachita Baptist on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.