Jones Powers RiverHawks Past Lions
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State behind the double-double performance of senior Jason Jones rolled to an 87-76 victory over Missouri Southern State University Saturday at Jack Dobbins Field House.
Jones, who scored a career high 28-points on Thursday night against Texas A&M-Kingsville, followed it up with a 27-point, 13-rebound performance against the Lions.
Jones, however, wasn't the only RiverHawk to score in double figures. Marlon Burnett poured in 17 points, followed by Antoine Branch's 16 points and J.C. Snead came off the bench to add 12 points as Northeastern State improved its record to 5-3. Missouri Southern is now 6-3.
The RiverHawks shot a blistering 71 percent in the second half (20-of-28) from the field 5-of-10 from behind the arc and finished with a 56 percent shooting night on 30-of-53 from the field to overcome a tenacious Missouri Southern pressure defense.
"They were living on their pressure and we weren't attacking on the back end with any rhythm or purpose in the first half," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson. "We just relaxed in the second half, got into a flow and attacked their pressure.
"We had a balance scoring attack. As long as we do that we'll be okay. Jason (Jones) is a load for most teams. We know Marlon (Burnett) and Antoine (Branch) have been very consistent. We have to get a fourth one and J.C. (Sneed) was the guy tonight. Its been him the last couple of nights and I hope that continues.
"We didn't finish quite the way I wanted too, but that's a good basketball team we beat. That was a good win for us," said Gipson.
Trailing 30-29 at the half, the RiverHawks took the lead for good when Jones hit a trey giving Northeastern State a 34-32 lead with 18:56 remaining. Jones then drained another trey for a 37-32 advantage and Branch followed with a trey for a 40-34 lead following a bucket by the Lions' Keane Thomann with 17:28 left.
Jones, who scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half said, "The second half was wake up call for me. The first half I didn't come out the first half. I was handling the pressure pretty well, but I guess I just wasn't ready.
"It was just one of those days. That's no excuse. In the locker room at half time coach kind of peeled the paint. That kind of motivated me for the second half," said Jones.
"I was happy after the game because I could help our team," said Jones. To come from a one-point deficit at halftime and then get a 14 point lead, that's pretty good.
"And this win will look good for us down the road because that team is going to do pretty good in their league, said Jones.
Anothern RiverHawk, who had an outstanding game was Branch. Along with his 16 points, he dished out five assists on the night.
"May teammates came through for me when I wasn't playing so well early," adding, I was sharing the ball so may teammates could score," said Branch. "This is a very big win for us. It was a tough win.
"Coach told us earlier that we needed to mature. I think these last two games we have matured a lot. We have played as a team," said Branch.
The RiverHawks increased its lead to 17-points 78-58, its largest of the night, with 4:08 remaining on a Snead layup. Missouri Southern made a late run at the RiverHawks, but came no closer than 10 points.
Missouri Southern's scoring was led by Mariun Price with 17 points. Price was followed by DeRell with 13 and Jason Adams 11. The Lions shot 44 percent from the field (28-of-63) and 7-of-20 on 3-point attempts.
