by TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State closed out 2019 with an 81-60 blowout win over in-state rivals Rogers State on Friday evening inside the Event Center.
The meeting is the sixth between the two programs, but first in conference play with RSU joining the MIAA this season.
Maegan Lee had a career evening with 19 points and six rebounds, Cenia Hayes recorded her second consecutive 20-point game with 20 and eight rebounds, the junior also dished out five assists and had a pair of blocks. Freshman Britney Ho hit double-digit scoring for the second time with a career-high 13 points.
“I thought we had a solid team performance tonight; we had some contributions from everybody, I thought we used our energy to get us started today, and it was great,” said head coach Fala Bullock. “We had our best first quarter of the season. I just love seeing everybody work together and get a great team win under our belt.”
Northeastern State forced 14 Rogers State turnovers and outpaced the Hillcats outs of the gates outscoring them 17-to-5 on miscues. The RiverHawks shot 1-for-8 from the arc but shot 52.9-percent from the field. Maegan Lee had a season-high ten points at the intermission with Hayes joining her with ten as well.
In the second half, the RiverHawks never relinquished their double-digit lead and paced the Hillcats as many as 19 points.
The RiverHawks finished the night shooting 48.4-percent from the field, but they were outrebounded by six with RSU grabbing 39 off of the glass.
Northeastern State improves to 4-6 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA. Rogers State dropped their seventh in a row and slip to 2-10 overall and 0-3 in league play.
The RiverHawks will be off through the holiday break and return to action on Jan. 4 at Northwest Missouri.
