RiverHawks Continue Winning Ways
SAN ANGELO, Texas - Northeastern State women used an early second half barrage and then held off a late surge by Angelo State to capture a 53-42 Lone Star Conference crossover victory Saturday afternoon at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena.
The victory the RiverHawks third straight, improves Northeastern State's record to 9-3, while Angelo State falls to 5-6. The RiverHawks will now travel to Abilene, Texas, for a Monday afternoon clash at 2 p.m. with Abilene Christian University.
"We came out in the second half and made some big shots," said Northeasstern State head coach Randy Gipson. "It was the only time in the game we shot the ball consistantly well. But once again our defense was solid."
The RiverHawks held a 28-23 lead at the half, but opened second half play with three consecutive treys for a 9-0 run to extend its lead to 14 points 37-23 with 16:40 left in the game. The Riverhawks held it largest lead of the game, 20 points, 43-23 with 11:48 remaining in the game.
NSU's Jessica White, who took game scoring honors for NSU with 14 points, opened the half by draining 1 of her 4 treys in the game.
The RiverHawks were 9-of-22 from behind the arc and finished 16-of-48 from the field for just a 33 percent shooting night. NSU was 11-of-20 at the line and out rebounded the Rambelles 46-32.
"Everybody is working hard trying to make shots," said Gipson. "This time of year and playing on the road, it just takes time. We'll get better. Its a process and it will take care of itself."
Jasmine Webb followed White in the scoring with 10 points and she led the NSU rebounding total with 9 caroms. White followed with 8 rebounds.
The RiverHawks held Angelo State to 27 percent from the floor as the Rambelles managed just 13-of-48 from the field, which included 3-of-18 on 3-point attempts.
Camille Perkins paced Angelo's scoring with 13 points while Paige Weishuhn added 10.
After Alix Perkins sank a free throw to give the RiverHawks a comfortable 15-point lead 43-28, the Rambelles went on an 11-1 run to narrow the gap to 3-points, 44-41 with 5:42 remaining in the game. It was the closest the Rambelles would get as the RiverHawks outscored the Rambelles 8-2 over the final five-minutes of play.
The opening 20 minutes of play was a defensive battle with the RiverHawks grabbing an early 3-0 lead on a Megan Fraley 3-pointer and a free throw by Webb.
The RiverHawks did not allow a Rambelle point for 3:06 of the first half, before Camille Perkins sank a free throw after being fouled by Alix Perkins at the 16:54 mark.
The Rambelles knotted the game at 3-all on a pair of free throws by Weishuhn, but the RiverHawks quickly regained the lead on a White trey. Angelo again tied the game at 6-all when Lindsey Leatherman sank two free throws with 11:54 remaining in the half.
Wright followed with her second 3-pointter of the game and Webb added another trey giving the RiverHawks a 11-8 lead after Angelo's Camille Perkins scored on a 12-foot jump shot.
The two clubs fought to an 18-all tie with with 4:52 left in the half, before the Rambelles took its first lead of the contest 20-18 with 3:42 left on a shot by Casie Adams from the top of the key.
NSU's Fraley then sank a 3-point shot from the right wing for a 21-20 RiverHawk lead, but the Rambelles regained the lead on a Camille Perkins shot 22-21 with 2:52 left.
The RiverHawks then went on a 6-0 run to grab a 27-22 lead with1:00 remaining as Webb scored on a jumper, White on a layup and Wright on a 12-footer.
NSU and Angleo exchanged free throws in the final 30 seconds for the 28-23 Northeastern State lead at the intermission.
