Cold Shooting Dooms RiverHawks

SAN ANGELO, Texas - Northeastern State's Jason Jones poured in 19 points and pulled down 9 rebounds, while Dominic Gaines playing in his first game since  becoming eligible at the semester, scored 16 points and had 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough for the RiverHawks.

Angelo State with three players scoring in double figures used a 14-0 run midway the first half to take control of the game en route to a 67-52 Lone Star Conference crossover win at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the RiverHawks to 5-4 for the season and Angelo State improves to 6-3.

The RiverHawks were the victim of some cold shooting as they managed just 12-of-42 from the field for a 28.6 shooting percentage, which included a miserable 3-of-24 from behind the 3-point line for only 14.3 percent. NSU was 25-of-37 at the free throw line.

"We just didn't shot the ball well," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson. "There were several possessions they went into a zone and we didn't have a reliable shooter to shoot the basketball. And then we became a frustrated basketball team.

"We are just not as mature as we have to be," said Gipson.

Williams led the Rams scoring with 23 points, a season high, while the LSC's leading point producer LaMarshall Corbett added 17 and Johnny Barnes 11.

The RiverHawks scored the first basket of the game and it was NSU's only lead of the contest as the Rams took control early.

Angelo State shot 40.4 percent from the field (21-of-52), including 7-of-19 from behind the arc and 85.7 percent at the free throw line sinking 18-of-21 attempts.

Angelo State held a 12-11 advantage with 13-minutres remaining when Williams scored back-to-back 3-pointers, powering the Rams to a 14-0 run over a 4:46 period. During the opening 20 minutes of play Northeastern was held scoreless for 8:20, which allowed Angelo State to hold on to a double-digit lead and take a 37-23 advantage at the half.

The Rams took it largest lead of the game, 20 points, 53-33 with 11:57 remaining in the game. The RiverHawks then made a late surge, trimming the Rams lead to 11 points 54-43 with 9:04 left on a 10-1 run on the strength of free throws.

Northeastern State converted 7-of-10 free throws and a trey by J.C. Sneed cut into the Rams' lead. However, the Rams responded on free throws on three straight possessions and a 14-point margin 60-46 with 7:20 left thwart the RiverHawks' threat.

The RiverHawks will now look toward a Monday afternoon clash with Abilene Christian at 4 p.m. to complete the two-game LSC crossover road trip into Texas. Tip-off is 4 p.m.