RiverHawks at Harding Thursday
Northeastern State University will hit the road for the first time Thursday night when the RiverHawks travel to Searcy, Ark., to play Harding University. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Field House.
The RiverHawks are coming off an impressive 69-34 victory over Ecclesia College. Harding won its season opener, a road win over Missouri S&T, 75-70 Monday night.
The Bison in exhibition games defeated Arkansas-Little Rock 80-77, and lost to Oral Roberts University 99-70.
"I don't know much about Harding, but they were picked third in the Gulf South," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson. "It will be a very tough environment and we used to play there when they were in the Lone Star Conference when I first came into the league.
"I think it will be a tough challenge, but we wanted to put our kids into a tough road environment. That's why I think the Ecclesia game was good for us to get some confidence before we go over there.
"Harding beating Arkansas-Little Rock doesn't surprise me. They are a good team,'' said Gipson.
In Monday night's win over Missouri S&T, the Bisons' Matt Garner scored a career high 19 points. Garner connected on 8-of-9 from the field. Harding shot 47 percent from the field and connected on seven 3-pointers.
The RiverHawks cruised past Ecclesia in its season opener behind pre-season All-American candidate Jason Jones, who scored 15 points with Marlon Burnett and Antonie Branch scoring 14 points each.
Northeastern State shot 56.5 percent from the field and out rebounded the Royals 37-22, while holding Ecclesia to 23.8 percent shooting from the field on 10-of-42.
Following the Harding game Northeastern State will travel to Magnolia, Ark., to play Southern Arkansas University on Nov. 23rd.
