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RiverHawks Fall in South Central Regional Championship Game
CANYON, Texas --Northeastern State’s dream of reaching the NCAA Division II Elite Eight came to an abrupt end Monday night at the First United Bank Center at West Texas A&M.
Emporia State used a 20-4 run midway the first half and exploded for five treys in the opening six minutes of the second half en route to a 76-45 win over Northeastern State (28-7) in the South Central Regional Women’s Championship game.
“I thought early in the game we had some opportunities to score and we didn’t take advantage of a couple of situations,” said Northeastern State head coach Randy Gipson.
“We missed a couple of open shots that could have got us through it. I think there comes a time you tip your hat to the other people. They played a phenomenal game. Their athleticism and size hurt us. They defended extremely well. We had trouble sustaining our offense,” said Gipson.
RiverHawks senior Jessica White who was named to the all-tournament team led NSU in scoring with 15 points. Alix Perkins followed with nine points.
“This season has been an enjoyable one and I told them (teammates) at the end of the game I wouldn’t want to lose by 31 points with any other team,” said White. “We still had a great year. It was the most enjoyable team I have ever been on. I wouldn’t want to be a senior leader with any other senior than Sarah (Millar). The other nine girls just really took to everything we said. Its just really been an enjoyable year. ”
Northeastern State, who had every shot contested by the much taller Lady Hornets was held to just 27 percent from the field (17-of-63) including just 2-of-23 from behind the arc. Freshman Tosha Tyler was the only RiverHawk to score from behind the arc.
Emporia State , ranked 15th in the country, shot 47 percent (26-of-55) including 10-of-24 led by the double digit scoring of Jamie Augustyn, Brittney Miller and Lenard Sophia with 12 points each. Cassondra Boston, who was named the tournament’s MVP, added 11 points, go along with her seven assists.
The RiverHawks who have trailed at the half in all three South Central Regional clashes and battled back could not turn the trick this time. Northeastern State was down 13 points against the Lady Hornets 30-17 at the break.
That was the closest the RiverHawks came the remainder of the contest as Emporia open the final 20 minutes of play with two three-point baskets, one each by Miller and Lacy Coker, giving the Lady Hornets a comfortable 19-point advantage 36-17 with 19:05 left.
“The start of the second half did not start well for us when they hit the two threes right off the bat,” said Gipson. “We were then playing more catch-up than we could handle.”
Emporia State then drained three more treys over the next four minutes to put the game out of reach for the RiverHawks taking a commanding 49-25 lead with 15:09 remaining.
Emporia State continued to increase its advantage the rest of the way, surging to its largest leads of the game twice 35 points, the first at 3:59 a 70-35 lead and the final with 2:27 remaining 74-39.
The RiverHawks held the lead only one time in the game and that came in the first half, 6-5 on an Alix Perkins layup with 16:23 left.
Northeastern State’s only other senior Sarah Millar, who scored two points for the RiverHawks said “ Its been a long ride for me. Coming from Australia it was a huge transition. But I have said all along it was the hardest, best decision I have ever made.
“I evolved as a player and person. I got to play with a team this year that was full of character and every single person on this team played as hard as they could. We showed up to practiced every day loving to be around each other, getting their early so we could have extra time with each other.
“I don’t regret it because I know J.J. (White) and I gave every single thing that we had into this program and I hope everyone appreciated it,” said Millar.
Gipson said, “Any team reflects their seniors and we had two great ones here. I would echo all the things they said. It was so enjoyable and we didn’t leave anything out there. I feel this team achieved well and maxed out. It’s a tough last game, but I’m proud of our team,” said Gipson.
Emporia State (27-8) will advance to the Elite Eight on March 23 in St. Joseph, Mo., representing the South Central Regional.
Joining White and Boston on the All-Tournament team were Alli Volkens of Emporia State and Jamie Simmons of West Texas A&M.
EMPORIA STATE 76, NORTHEASTERN STATE 45
Emporia State 30 46 – 76
Northeastern State 17 28 – 45
Emporia State (27-5) -- Jamie Augustyn 12, Sophia Lenard 12, Brittney Miller 12, Cassondra Boston 11, Lacy Corker 9, Alli Vokens 8, Jocelyn Cummings 4, Ashley Ferrell 4, Negesti Taylor 2, Kelsey Newman 2
Northeastern State (28-7)-- Jessica White 15, Alex Perkins 9, Jasmine Webb 5, Tosha Tyler 6, Megan Fraley 4, Cristy Nitz2, Sarah Millar 2, Kendra Dean 2..
