Greyhounds Grounded

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State  placed three players in double-figure scoring led by Dominique Gaines 20 points to put away Eastern New Mexico University 72-60 in  a Lone Star Conference clash Saturday afternoon at Jack Dobbins Field House.

The RiverHawks improved to 8-5 and Eastern New Mexico falls to 5-9 on the season.
Northeastern State shot 44 percent from the field (22-49) while holding the Greyhounds to 40 percent from the field (24-59).

Following Gaines, whose 20 points was a career high at NSU, topping his previous high of 16 against Angelo State on on Dec. 19, in the scoring for the RiverHawks was Jason Jones with 18 points and Marlon Burnett with 14. Gaines connected on 6-of-14 from the field and had 6 assists to go along with his 20 points.

Reggie Nelson led the Greyhounds with 17 points with Victor Reid adding 16.

"I am happy with the win. I told our guys we have some things we need to do a little bit better, but I am  happy with the win," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson.

The RiverHawks led 30-24 at the intermission and increased its six-point half time margin to  its largest lead of the game 13 points with 3:21 remaining 63-50 on a pair of free throws by Marlon Burnett.

The Greyhounds then went to a full-court press which the RiverHawks handled and the Greyhounds then began sending the RiverHawks to the foul line in an attempt to get back into the ball game.

Northeastern State responded at the line by sinking 21-of-28 at the stripe, draining 9-of-13 in the final three-minutes of play. Gaines, who was 8-of-12 at the line, connected on 4-of-6 in the final two-minutes.

Jones, who just missed another double-double, was perfect at the stripe, draining 5-of-5, and  pulled down 7 rebounds in the victory.

"Eastern New Mexico was a solid team, but at times our defense lapsed, especially in the second half when they scored on 10-of-11 possessions.  The one thing we have to do is to become a more consistent shooting team. Our stats aren't horrible, we are what we are. We are a little bit immature and we need to grow up a little bit in understanding how tough it is on this level," said Gipson.

The RiverHawks step out of Lone Star Conference play Monday night when NSU will host Rhema Bible College at 7 p.m. at Jack Dobbins Field House. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

NSU's Gipson will be honored before the game for collecting his 500th career victory as a collegiate head coach at Northeastern A&M Junior College, University of Toledo and Northeastern State University. Gipson currently is 504-297 overall and 218-137 at Northeastern State.