Season Opening Smash

TAHLEQUAH, Okla.  ---  The first meeting between Northeastern State and Ecclesia College was no contest.

The RiverHawks cruised to a season opening 69-34 men's basketball victory over the Royals at Jack Dobbins Field House Monday night.

Northeastern State used outstanding defensive play and blistering shooting to put away Ecclesia, who entered the game with a 6-1 record. The RiverHawks shot 56.5 percent (26-of-46) for the game and out rebounded the Royals 37-22.

"I was pleased with our players' performances. They came to play," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson. "I was nervous before the game because I had no idea what to expect. Ecclesia comes in here with a very good record.  We watched them over the weekend and they looked very good.

"We did a good job. Our kids executed defensively and I was happy how we ran our offense. We are not a real explosive team right now. We have to be a team that takes care of the basketball."

The RiverHawks preseason All-American candidate, Jason Jones, led Northeastern State's scoring with 15 points, with Marlon Burnett and Antonie Branch scoring 14 points each.

Gipson said he was very pleased with the play of Branch, who came off the bench to score his 14 points.

"Antonie is a good scorer, but has been inconsistent in the preseason," said Gipson. "But he definitely has the ability to be an excellent player at this level, said Gipson. "Overall, I think it was a good opening night."

Northeastern State held the Royals to 23.8 percent from the field (10-of-42), including a 3-of-20 shooting performance (15 percent) from 3-point range.

Travis Smith was Ecclesia's leading scorer with 9 points, while the Royals leading point producer for the season Robert Valentine, who averaged 16 points, was held to just 3 points in the game.

Northeastern State held its largest lead of the game, 39 points, with 1:09 remaining, 69-30, on a layup by Gracjan Szuba.

The victory was never in doubt as Jones opened with a 3-point basket on the game's first possession from the top of the key and it was all Northeastern State from that point on. The Royals never led in the game.

The RiverHawks held a comfortable 35-18 lead at the intermission on the strength of a 58 percent shooting performance. Northeastern State connected on 14-of-24 from the field including 5-of-12 from behind the arc for 41.7 percent.

The RiverHawks hit the road Thursday night to Searcy, Ark., to play Harding University. Tip-off at the Bison Field House is 7:30 p.m.