TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State women's basketball team wraps the regular season by hosting a pair of in-state rivals in Rogers State (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.) and Central Oklahoma (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.). NSU enters in position to clinch an MIAA Tournament berth with a win in either game, a Nebraska Kearney loss to Fort Hays State on Thursday or a Rogers State loss to Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday.

Through 26 games, Northeastern State ranks seventh in the MIAA in scoring (69.4 points per game). The RiverHawks pace the conference on turnover margin (3.3) and are fourth in steals per game (8.7) and scoring defense (62.7 PPG). NSU leads the MIAA and ranks second nationally in free throw percentage (81.6%). The RiverHawks are fourth in NCAA Division II women's basketball in free throws made (443) and are tied for fifth in free throws made per game (17). Notably, Gabrielle Tilley is tied for 14th nationally in free throw conversion rate (88.2%).

A Quick Look Back
The RiverHawks wrapped their road schedule with losses to Northwest Missouri (68-56) and Missouri Western (79-70). In the loss to the Bearcats, NSU trailed by 22 (68-46) with 2:26 left, but scored the game's last 10 points. The RiverHawks were outscored by 12 in the paint, while falling victim to a seven-point differential on second chance points. Against Missouri Western, Reese Shirey matched her season high against MIAA competition with 16 points, but the RiverHawks were on the wrong side of a 12-point swing on made treys in the nine-point setback.

NSU (16-10, 8-9 MIAA) will aim for greater efficiency this week from the starting five after they combined for 18-of-58 (31%) shooting in their last two games. Meanwhile, the second unit will look to build off of a combined 67 points scored across the pair of road matchups last week.

About Rogers State
The Hillcats (9-17, 6-11 MIAA) aim to break a five-game skid entering the week to further their push for one of the final remaining MIAA Tournament bids. They own the league's lowest-scoring offense (60 PPG) and are in the bottom five in field goal percentage (37.5%, 11th) and three-point percentage (27.3%, 12th).

Defensively, the Hillcats surrender the sixth-most points per game (66.9), but are seventh in lowest opposing field goal percentage (38.3%) and three-point conversion rate (30.3%). They rank sixth in both blocks per game (3.1) and steals per game (7.6).

The Series: The series is in its 19th meeting on Wednesday. The RiverHawks hold a 10-8 record and have won four of eight in Tahlequah.

About Central Oklahoma
Central Oklahoma (9-17, 4-13 MIAA) are positioned out of the conference postseason ladder in their first season under Hannah Moeller. Despite that, they rank as one of the stronger defensive units in the league, ranking sixth in the MIAA in fewest points allowed per game (64.5), fourth in opposing field goal percentage (37.5%) and first in blocks per game (5.5).

Offensively, the Bronchos rank near the bottom of the MIAA in points per game (61.8, 12th), field goal percentage (35.4%, 14th) and three-point percentage (26%, 14th). The team is second in rebounding (41.3 rebounds per game), while Jerney Bennett (7.8 RPG) is tied for seventh individually.

The Series: The RiverHawks lead the series (37-32) and have won five straight.

Up Next
If they qualify, the RiverHawks will take the court in the MIAA Tournament on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. for an opening round contest.