RiverHawks Rout UTPB

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -   Northeastern State women  used 66 percent first half shooting, converting their first 12 field goal attempts to cruise past the University of Texas-Permian Basin 64-43 Saturday in the St. Mary's University Classic at Bill Greehey Arena.

The RiverHawks connected on 18-of-27 first half field goals en route to a 47-16 lead at the half. Northeastern State, now 4-2, finished 23-of-48 from the field for a 47 percent shooting performance. Cristy Nitz led the RiverHawks scoring with 16 points, followed by Kendra Dean with 12 and Taylor Lewis 11.

The RiverHawks did not miss a field goal until the 8:10 mark of the opening half, as Northeastern State held a comfortable 18-point advantage, 29-11.

"We had a good first half and came out and  played," said Northeastern State head coach Randy Gipson. "We finished our shots real well and jumped out to a big lead. The second half we didn't play with much passion. It got to be a closer game than it should have been. I think we just let up. But we are happy to get the win."

Northeastern State's largest lead of the game came in the second half with 16:50 remaining; a 33- point bulge 52-19 on a pair of free throws by Alix Perkins.

The Falcons made a run at the RiverHawks late in the second half going on a 22-4 run to trim Northeastern State's lead to 15 points, 56-41 with 7:29 remaining. The RiverHawks then turned up the defensive pressure holding the Falcons to just two points over the final seven and half minutes to get the victory.

"Today was the first time we had faced a zone defense and Taylor (Lewis) came in and gave us a lift by hitting a couple of threes (3-of-5)," said Gipson. "She had a good tournament for us as did Cristy (Nitz). I also thought Kendra (Dean) did a good job. She is going to give us some consistency."

UTPB did not have a player score in double figures as the Falcons' Pache Cornish and Lauren Unger led the UTPB scoring with nine points each.

Northeastern State held the Falcons to 27.5 percent from the field (14-of-51) while the RiverHawks out-rebounded the Falcons 42-27.

"We were pretty alert in the game and rebounded pretty well," said Gipson. "It was a good sign the way we came back after a tough lost last night (Friday)," said Gipson.

The RiverHawks will travel to Boliver, Mo., Tuesday night to play Southwest Baptist University. Tip-off is 7 p.m.