by AHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women’s basketball team had four players score in double-figures as the RiverHawks defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 78-65 Monday evening inside the NSU Event Center.
The RiverHawks (5-3, 2-0 MIAA), playing their third game in five days, earned their third-straight victory. The Bulldogs (0-2 GAC) fell to 2-5 on the year.
Senior guard Fontana Tate (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) led the way for NSU with 13 points and seven rebounds, while freshman guard Alexis Hill scored 12. Senior guard Chelsey Beathard added 12 points and nine rebounds to record her third straight-game with double-figure scoring. Sophomore forward Mya Walker chipped in 12. Of the 11 RiverHawks that saw time on the court, 10 put points on the scoreboard.
Northeastern State shot 46.3 percent (31-for-67) from the field, 37.5 percent (12-for-32) from downtown and 57.1 percent (4-for-7) at the free-throw line. Southwestern Oklahoma State shot 31.9 percent (22-for-69) overall, 26.9 percent (7-for-26) from three and 60.9 percent (14-for-23) at the charity stripe.
Jade Jones had 17 points for the Bulldogs, while Jessica Penner recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The RiverHawks built a lead in the first half with hot shooting from beyond the arc, hitting five out of their first eight three-point tries. NSU held a 21 point lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Bulldogs used full-court pressure and offensive rebounding to pull within seven with 6:55 to play. A three-pointer by Hill with 1:13 remaining pushed the RiverHawks back to a 10-point lead that they would not relinquish. NSU finished the game on a 7-1 run to earn the 13-point non-conference victory.
Northeastern State held a 47-42 edge in rebounding, winning the battle of the boards in both halves.
Northeastern State will next travel to Claremore, Oklahoma, to take on Rogers State at 2 p.m. Dec. 13.
