TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northeastern State opens the seventh season of the Ja Havens era at the Central Region Challenge in Tulsa, hosted at Union High School. The RiverHawks face Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday and Henderson State on Saturday, with both games tipping off at 7:30 p.m.

About the RiverHawks
Northeastern State finished the 2025-26 season with a 13-15 overall record and a 6-13 mark in MIAA play, missing the MIAA Tournament. The RiverHawks finished third in the MIAA in scoring offense (82.6 points per game) and second in field goal percentage (49.6%), but finished 12th in scoring defense (80.3 PPG). 

Entering the season, the RiverHawks returned two letterwinners in Dylan Tea and Jaxson Vandegarde. Tea appeared in all 28 games as a freshman, starting in two and averaging 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds across 17.8 minutes per game. Vandegarde appeared in 27 games, starting in two and averaging 4.0 points and 1.7 assists in 13.5 minutes per game.

Among NSU's newcomers, five arrive from the junior college ranks, while the 2026-27 roster also includes five true freshmen. In the MIAA preseason rankings, Northeastern State was picked 13th in the coaches poll and 12th in the media poll.

Scouting Texas A&M - Kingsville
The Javelinas enter following a 13-16 campaign in the 2025-26 season, finishing 10-10 in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play and earning the program's first conference postseason berth since 2023. Texas A&M-Kingsville was picked ninth in the LSC Preseason Poll entering the fourth season of the Omar Gonzalez era. 

Bryce Smith returns after earning an All-LSC Honorable Mention recognition last season. Smith finished second on the team in minutes per game (24.0), averaging 6.8 points per game while leading the team in assists per game (3.4). Jadon Sautter returns after being named to the LSC's All-Freshman Team. Sautter averaged 7.4 points in 18.0 minutes per game last season. The Javelinas also welcome a 12-player newcomer class.

Series History
Friday's matchup marks the first meeting between the programs during NSU's MIAA era. The RiverHawks hold a 7-6 advantage in the all-time series.

Scouting Henderson State
The Reddies finished the 2025-26 season with an 11-18 overall record, including an 8-14 mark in Great American Conference (GAC) play. Henderson State ranked seventh in the GAC in scoring offense (71.1 PPG) and ninth in scoring defense (72.7 PPG).The Reddies also ranked second in field goal percentage (46.4%) and fourth in field goals made (792), while holding opponents to the fifth-lowest field goal percentage (43.2%).

Entering the program's 12th season under Jimmy Elgas, the Reddies were picked fifth in the GAC Preseason Poll. Henderson State returns nine players, including four starters. 2025 GAC Freshman of the Year Rondae Hill returns to Arkadelphia after spending one season at Southern, where he appeared in six games. During his freshman campaign with the Reddies, Hill averaged 12.2 points and 2.8 assists per game across 30 appearances, including 27 starts.

Series History
Saturday's matchup will be the third meeting between the programs and their first since 2011. Henderson State won the most recent meeting in Arkadelphia, 58-51, while NSU claimed a neutral-site matchup, 59-52, in Las Vegas in 2001.

Up Next
The RiverHawks are in Tahlequah for the team's home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 17 against Arkansas Tech at 6 p.m.