RiverHawks Playing for North Division Crown

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State enters the final regular season game Saturday tied with Central Oklahoma for first place in the Lone Star Conference North Division.

Both clubs enter the final game at 10-1 in the division with Northeastern State at Southwestern State and UCO at Southeastern State. In both cases the RiverHawks and Bronchos both defeated their Saturday opponents in their first meeting. Tip-off at Rankin Williams Fieldhouse is 4 p.m.

A win by the RiverHawks and a loss by the Bronchos gives NSU the North Division title out-right and the No.1 seed in the conference tournament next week in Bartlesville. NSU can finish no lower than second in the North and has a lock on the No. 2 seed.

NSU, 19-7 overall, is also fighting to move up in the South Central Rankings which determines a trip the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

The RiverHawks, who have won six straight, are currently No. 8 in the South Central and must finish in the top eight or win the LSC Tournament to gain an automatic berth. Automatic berths from the South Central Region go to  tournament winners in the LSC, Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the Heartland Conference.

Currently the South Central rankings has no Heartland Conference team in the top eight, thus the winner of the Heartland Conference Tournament, which is expected to be Incarnate Word (19-6) , would be the No. 8 team in the rankings, knocking that club out of the polls (Northeastern State).

That make Saturday's game at Southwestern State doubly important for the RiverHawks in there drive toward a post season tournament appearance.

"We are playing for a championship Saturday, and then sudden death," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson. "We are playing for a co-championship. We are playing a Southwestern team that is also playing for a spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

"They will come ready to play there is no question. But we have our business to take care of and we have something to play for too. We need to go to Weatherford and be ready to play," said Gipson.

The Bulldogs are averaging 72 points a game led by Chancellor Jones, who is scoring 13.2 points a game and pulling down 7 rebounds a contest. Charlesto Flemmings follows at 11.4 points a game. Defensively Southwestern is allowing 73 points a game.

Dominique Gaines, who had his string of 18 consecutive games of double digit scoring end against Cameron when he was held to six points, is averaging 18.3 points to lead the RiverHawks.

Jason Jones is scoring 154.4 points and 9.3 rebounds followed by Marlon Burnett at 12.5 and Antoine Branch with a 10.3 scoring average.

Jones posted his 10^th double-double of the season Wednesday night against Cameron when he scored 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Looking at the regional rankings Gipson said, "At No. 8 were not even on the bubble right now due to the fact the Heartland doesn't have anybody in the rankings. At No. 8 we are looking from the inside out.

"Our best bet is to win the (LSC) tournament or maybe get to the finals. There may be some people drop out," said Gipson.

North Division

South Division