Dean, Nitz Carry RiverHawks

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State, behind the 16-point performancs of Kendra Dean and Cristy Nitz, dismantled Southwestern Oklahoma State 71-54 in a Lone Star Conference North Division clash Saturday afternoon at Jack Dobbins Field House.

The RiverHawks are now 13-4 for the season and 2-0 in LSC North Division play. Southwestern State is now 1-14 and 1-1 in division action.

Dean's 16 points was a season high as  the RiverHawks shot 47 percent from the floor, while limiting the Bulldogs to just 32 percent shooting. NSU held a huge rebounding advantage 42-29.

Northeastern State's largest lead of the game, 22 points, came with 1:54 remaining in the contest 68-45 on a Dean jumper from 12 feet out.

The RiverHawks had 10 players score in the win over the Bulldogs. Southwestern's Jenna Sprague led the Bulldogs scoring with 11 points.

Northeastern State head coach Randy Gipson was particularly happy with the play of Dean, who has broken out of a scoring slump the past two games.

"Kendra is doing a great job for us;" said Gipson. "She is taking good shots and taking the ball up strong, and for the most part, has done a great job when she gets to the free throw line. I'm just happy to see her being aggressive."

Dean said the "game is now fun" after breaking out of her scoring drought. "I am pleased with my play tonight. But it was team effort . It was a physical game, and I got bruise up a little bit.

"I feel real good about my play right now. Our team is playing hard together. Everybody is meshing well. But it's fun again," said Dean.

Gipson was also pleased with the play of Nitz adding, "I thought she played hard on both ends of the floor. She shot her free throws well also (4-of-4)."

Gipson said the plan was to stop Southwestern's dribble penetration into the paint and he felt like his club accomplished its feat.

"Overall our defense was pretty good," said Gipson. "We did a not let them break loose and beat the person on the ball very much. That helped force some turnovers and hold them to a low percentage."

Northeastern State jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead before the Bulldogs put a point on the board with 14:42 remaining in the opening half.  The RiverHawks, shooting 46 percent in the first 20 minutes forced Southwestern into 13 turnovers and increased its lead to 18 points its largest of the half 27-9 with 3:54 remaining on a pair of free throws by Jasmine Webb.

Northeastern State held the Bulldogs to just 26 percent for the floor (6-of-23) and outrebounded the Bulldogs 19-10. Neither team had a player scored in double figures in the first half of play.

Northeastern State will return to Lone Star Conference North Division play Wednesday at Jack Dobbins Field House a 6 p.m. to battle Southeastern State University.