TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State women's basketball team starts their final road trip of the regular season by traveling for matchups at Central Missouri (Thursday, 5:30 p.m.) and Washburn (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.). The RiverHawks are 16-6 overall and 8-5 in MIAA contests.

Through 22 games, Northeastern State ranks fifth in the MIAA in scoring (71.1 points per game). The RiverHawks pace the conference on turnover margin (3.8) and are fourth in steals per game (8.9). NSU leads the MIAA and ranks second nationally in free throw percentage (80.9%). The RiverHawks are fourth in NCAA Division II women's basketball in free throws made (394) and third in free throws made per game (17.9). Notably, Gabrielle Tilley is 18th nationally in free throw conversion rate (88.3%) and has made her last 22 shots at the charity stripe.

A Quick Look Back
Northeastern State lost a tightly-contested battle to then-#8 Fort Hays State last Thursday (68-63). Despite 24 points from Deyanna Douglas, the RiverHawks were outscored on fast breaks (25-0) and lost the turnover battle for the first time since Nov. 25, 2025 in the narrow defeat. Saturday marked a one-game extension of their first multi-game losing streak for the season, a 58-57 defeat at the hands of Nebraska Kearney from a last-second basket by the Lopers.

About Central Missouri
The Jennies (17-5, 11-2 MIAA) enter the week as one of the top teams in the MIAA, led by one of the league's top players in Reese Schaaf. Schaaf is second in the conference in points per game (19.1) and rebounds per game (8.9), while she leads all qualified individuals in field goal percentage (55.8%). Additionally, she is ninth in assists per game (2.9) and tied for fourth in steals per game (1.9).

As a unit, the Jennies are fourth in the league in per-game scoring (71.3 PPG) and fifth in rebounding (39.8 RPG). The offense ranks second in field goal percentage (43.9%) and third in efficiency from beyond the arc (32.7%). 

The Series: In the 17th meeting between programs, NSU looks for their first win ever against the Jennies in women's basketball. Every encounter has occurred during NSU's MIAA era, starting with their inital matchup on Jan. 9, 2013.

About Washburn
The Ichabods (15-7, 8-5 MIAA) are tied with NSU in the league standings with three weeks in the regular season left. They host Arkansas-Fort Smith on Thursday before the RiverHawks make a trip to Topeka for the weekend.

Washburn owns one of the most stifling defenses in the conference, pacing the league in fewest points allowed per game (56.9). Opposing offenses have been held to makes on 37% of tries and 28.1% from beyond the arc, both good for third-fewest in the MIAA. Offensively, they are tenth in scoring (64.2 PPG) and are led individually by Yiibari Nwidadah (12.1 PPG).

Nwidadah enters the weekend with great previous success against the RiverHawks. The 6'2" senior scored 23 points and added 16 rebounds in the most recent meeting on Feb. 15, 2025 and had a similarly explosive showing on Dec. 19, 2023, tallying 19 points with six boards. Nwidadah is tied for eighth in the MIAA in rebounds per game (7.6) through 21 appearances, all starts.

The Series: Washburn leads the series, 16-8. The Ichabods have won five of the last seven. Northeastern State aims for their first win over the Ichabods in Topeka since Jan. 11, 2018.

Up Next
The RiverHawks close their regular season road schedule with contests at Northwest Missouri (Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:30) and MoWest (Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:30).