RiverHawks Topple Midwestern State

WICHITA FALLS, Texas -  Jasmine Webb scored 10 of her game high 16 points in the second half to lead Northeastern State women to a 56-51 Lone Star Conference crossover victory over Midwestern State Sunday afternoon at D.L. Wigon Coliseum.

Seven of Webb's 10-points in the second half came in the final six-minutes as Northeastern State held off a late Mustang surge.

"Jasmine had another good solid game for us again," said RiverHawks head coach Randy Gipson. "They were really getting out and pressuring her. She did a really good job of working for position. We did a good job of getting her the ball and she finished. That helped us to maintain a pretty healthy lead most of the way till the very end."

 The RiverHawks improved to 6-2 for the season and 1-0 in LSC play as they prepare for another LSC crossover contest Thursday night in Stephenville, Texas, against Tarleton State. Tip-off is 6 p.m. The Mustangs fall to 1-3 for the year and 0-1 in league play.

The RiverHawks connected on 21-of-45 from the field (46.7 percent), including just 3-of-14 from behind the arc and 11-of-19 at the free throw line. NSU pulled down 33 rebounds, but committed 21 turnovers.

Midwestern State was 19-of-50 from the field (38 percent), 2-of-6 on treys and 11-of-16 at the free throw line. They had 29 rebounds and committed 17 turnovers.

"It was a  great road win for us," said Gipson. "I felt like we had a good defensive effort overall. We got a little a little complacent on the defensive end the last six or seven possessions. But overall our defense really came through for us."

Northeastern State jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead on pair of free throws by Alix Perkins, basket by Webb and two baskets by Cristy Nitz as the RiverHawks held the Mustangs scoreless for the first five minutes of the contest.

Northeastern State held a 28-17 lead at the half holding a 12-point lead twice in the opening 20 minutes, the last with 1:13 left on a basket by Kendra Dean.

Midwestern cut into the RiverHawks lead in the opening minutes of the second half, as the RiverHawks committed four turnovers on their first five possessions, moving to within six points 28-22 with 17:03 left.

The RiverHawks regained control with a 7-0 run on baskets by Webb, two by Jessica White, who finished with 10 points, which included a trey for a  35-22 lead with 14:56 remaining.

"Jessica (White) played real solid for us," said Gipson."She guarded their 3-point shooter (Savannah Carver, held her to 1 trey) and did a real good job on her. Defensively she was real solid, made good decisions on offense and made some key shots."

Northeastern State increased its lead to 16 points with 6:36 remaining 47-31 before the Mustangs made a run at the RiverHawks. Midwestern State outscored the RiverHawks 13-5 over the final 3:27 of the game.

Midwestern State battle back to within five points, 54-49 before RiverHawks' Taylor Lewis hit the front end of a one-and-one free throw for a 55-49 lead with 11 seconds left. The Mustangs' Breeanna Brown, who led Midwestern's scoring with 11 points, scored on a fastbreak, making it 55-51 with three ticks on the clock.

The Mustangs' Savannah Carver then fouled NSU's Megan Fraley who sank one of two free throws with one-second remaining to seal the victory.