RiverHawks Lose Heartbreaker
ORLANDO, Fla. - Northeastern State's upset bid of No.21-ranked Gannon University at the Disney East Coast Classic fell just short Friday morning losing to the Knights 67-66 at the Milk House.
The RiverHawks' Taylor Lewis missed a shot with 1.5 seconds remaining that would have given Northeastern State the victory. The RiverHawks are now 0-1 and will battle North Alabama at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
"We came out and played against a very good team," said head coach Randy Gipson. "They are a senior dominated team that came at us hard. I thought we took a punch and responded.
"We fought hard from the first 7-8 minutes on. It was a game that could have gone either way. We got ourselves in position to win but didn't. We struggle to get a good shot off and we just didn't get it down, " said Gipson.
"I was encouraged by our play and competitiveness in the game."
Northeastern opened the game slow shooting only 29.9 percent the first 20 minutes, but warmed up in the second half shooting a blistering 61.5 percent (16-of-26) and 7-of-10 from the 3-point line, however, it was not enough as the Knights fought off the RiverHawks.
Sophomore Alix Perkins led the Northeastern State scoring with 17 points and Sarah Miller added 11. Perkins the Lone Star Conference North Division Freshman of the Year last season, was 6-of-6 from the field, including 3-of-3 from behind the arc. She was perfect from the free throw line (2-of-2). Jasmine Webb scored nine points and Cristy Nitz eight points. Kendra Dean was the RiverHawks leading rebounder with seven.
Brittany Tabron, who had a double-double, led the Knights' scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds, as Gannon shot 47 percent from the field (26-of-55). Kristina Freeman followed in the scoring with 15 points.
Northeastern was out rebounded by the Knights 34-21, which included 15 offensive boards. "They were a very physical team and we got hurt on the boards,'' said Gipson. "That's something we are going to have to address and do a better job on."
Northeastern State trailed 32-26 at the half and battled back to take its first lead of the game 38-36 on a 3-point shot by Perkins with 17:03 remaining on an assist by Webb.
The RiverHawks increased its advantage to five points 43-38 on a Jessica White jumper, and a Perkins 3-point basket following a basket by Gannon's Tiffany Crocker.
Gannon's Tabron cut the RiverHawks' lead to three points 43-40 before Perkins made it a 5-point Northeastern State lead once gain 45-40 on a layup from a dish from Dean with 13:19 remaining.
Northeastern State held its largest lead of the game eight points, 48-40 with 12:26 remaining, on a Megan Fraley 3-pointer.
That's when Gannon's offense re-ignited. The Knights outscored the RiverHawks 9-0 over a 2:07 span to take a 49-48 lead with 9:53 left on a 3-point shot by Julie Kleber.
Northeastern State regained the lead with 9:12 left on a Christy Nitz 3-pointer 51-49, however, Tabron tied the game at 51-all with 8:49 remaining on a layup.
The Knights increased its lead to four points 59-54 with 5:31 left, before the RiverHawks' regained the lead 64-63 on a Miller 3-pointer with 3:03 remaining.
Following a Fraley turnover, the Knights regain the lead on Kristina Freedom's layup 65-64 with 1:24 left. Northeastern State came right back down the floor to score on Jasmine Webb's layup. It was the RiverHawks' last lead of the game as Gannon's Freedom scored on a 12-foot jump shot to get the win, before Taylor missed her game-winning attempt at the buzzer.
The RiverHawks will now play North Alabama at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. North Alabama lost to Southern New Hampshire 63-60.
GANNON 67, NORTHEASTERN STATE 66
Gannon 32 35 - 67
Northeastern State 26 40 - 66
Gannon (1-0) - Tabron 16, Freeman 15, Crocker 8, Nolan 7, Vargas 6, Kleber 6, Lowe 5, McCoy 4.
Northeasstern State (0-1) - Perkins 17, Miller 11, Webb 9, Nitz 8, Lewis 6, J. White 5, Dean 4, Green 3, Fraley 3.
