RiverHawks Go for Second LSC North Division Win
TAHLEQUAH, Oka. - Northeastern State will be seeking its fifth consecutive victory and winners of its last 8-of-10 games when the RiverHawks play host to Southwestern State University Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Jack Dobbins Field House.
Northeastern State will take a 10-5 record into the Lone Star Conference North Division clash against the Bulldogs who are 6-10 on the year. The RiverHawks will be seeking their second straight LSC North Division win after snapping Cameron's perfect 8-0 home court record Wednesday night 70-62 behind the 32-point performance of Dominique Gaines.
The Bulldogs are 0-1 the North Division losing its opener to Texas A&M-Commerce 73-55. However, the ‘Dogs played the game without starter Chancellor Jones, along with Matej Mrkic and Nick Thurman, who were held out due to illness. All three are expected to be ready for Saturday's game.
Damian Henderson, 6-4, senior forward, who scored 19 points in the Commerce game, is the Bulldogs leading scorer with a 14.8 scoring average. Henderson is 53.6 percent shooter from the field and is 41.7 percent from behind the arc.
Jones, 6-3 junior guard, averages 12.8 points a game and is the Bulldogs leading rebounder at 7.4 a game. Charlest Flemmings, 6-0 junior guard, is scoring 11.3 points an outing.
Southwestern enters the contest against Northeastern State averaging 69.8 points on offense and giving up 71.4 to the opposition. The RiverHawks are scoring at a 67.7 clip and allowing opponents just 57.1 points.
Pre-season All-American candidate Jason Jones, is averaging 15.5 points a game and has grabbed 132 rebounds for 8.8 boards per game. Jones is shooting 55.8 percent from the field and 42.6 percent on 3-point attempts.
Gaines, junior college transfer from Northeastern A&M, has played in seven games for the RiverHawks since becoming eligible in mid-December, has proven to be a big scoring boost for the NSU offense, averaging 18.4 points a game.
The 6-2 guard's 32-point production against Cameron was his highest point total since becoming a RiverHawk. He is a 45.1 percent shooter from the floor and 31.8 percent on treys. At the free throw line he has drained 48-of-70 for a 68.6 percent mark. Against Cameron Gaines converted 17-of-21 at the stripe.
Two other RiverHawks who has continued to be steady with their offensive game are Marlon Burnett and Antoine Branch.
Burnett, who scored 17 points at Cameron and was nearly perfect at the free throw line connecting on 6-of-7. He is averaging 13.3 points a game, shooting 48.2 percent for the field and 32.4 on 3-point attempts.
Branch is scoring 11.0 points a game, while converting 41 percent for the field and 40 percent on treys. Defensively Branch has recorded 15 steals this season.
Following the Southwestern State game, the RiverHawks will entertain Southeastern State at Jack Dobbins Field House Wednesday night at 8 p.m.
