RiverHawks Play Southern Arkansas Tonight
Northeastern State University men return home Monday night for a return match with the University of Southern Arkansas at Jack Dobbins Field House. Tip-off is 7 p.m.
The RiverHawks (2-1) and Muleriders just seven days ago battled at Searcy, Ark., with the RiverHawks taking a 61-53 victory at W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
Since the last meeting between the two squads, Southern Arkansas (3-2) has played two games, losing to Lone Star Conference member Southeastern State 65-55 and defeating Wesley (Miss.) College 85-59. It was the second meeting between Sou thern Arkansas and Southeastern, with the Muleriders winning the first game 70-64 at home on Nov. 18th.
Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson is just two wins away from the magic 500 mark in collegiate coaching victories during his 27-year career. Entering Monday night's clash with Southern Arkansas Gipson has a 498-293 record for a .629 winning percentage.
The RiverHawks are averaging 64.3 points a game and allowing the opposition just 51.7 points a game. Senior guard Marlon Burnett, who has scored 24 and 22 points in his last two outings, leads Northeastern State in scoring averaging 20 points. He is also averaging 6.7 rebounds a game.
Senior preseason All-American candidate Jason Jones is averaging 15.7 points an outing and leads Northeastern State in rebounding pulling down 8.0 boards. In the first meeting with the Muleriders Jones scored 19 points and collected 6 rebounds.
Jones, who injured an ankle in the first half against the Muleriders and played in the second half, is expected to play with a full recovery Monday night.
Antoine Branch, junior college transfer from Colleyville Community College, has started fast for the RiverHawks, averaging 13.3 points, shooting at a 52.2 percent clip from the field. Branch is NSU's leading 3-point shooter (9-of-15) for a 60 percent shooting performance.
Southern Arkansas enters the Northeastern State clash averaging 68.6 points on offense, while the opposition is scoring 60.6 points a game.
The Muleriders have four players who are scoring in double-figures, led by Justin Stuart, who is averaging 13.5 points a game. David Noble is averaging 11.8 points, followed by Chase Spruiel 11.4 and Sanchez Dade at 11.2. Dade is the Muleriders leading 3-point shooter, canning 6-of-14 for a shooting percentage of .429 and top rebounder with 28 for 5.6 per game.
Northeastern State will play its first Lone Star Conference crossover game Thursday night at Stephenville, Texas, against Tarleton State. Tip-off is 8 p.m.
