NSU Athletics
Don Vieth, Director of Athletics Communications
AZUSA, Calif. – Double-digit efforts from Cenia Hayes and Cailyn Long paired with a hot start by the RiverHawks was a recipe for success in a 63-57 win on Saturday over No. 21-ranked Azusa Pacific.
Northeastern State sank five treys in the opening quarter and scored 14 straight on Cougars for their first win over a ranked program since Jan. 22, 2014 where they beat No. 2-ranked Emporia State, 59-44.
Northeastern State returns back on Oklahoma with a 2-4 record, while Azusa Pacific was swept in their home tournament to fall to 3-3 overall.
Long had a game high 15 and inched closer to 1,000 career points. The NSU senior will leave the west coast needing only 43 points to reach the milestone number.
Hayes added 13 points with Bailee Eldred and Joi Bertrand both having eight point days.
A solid third quarter behind 7-for-12 shooting along with Long scoring eight of the team’s 19 points made up a fourth where they made one bucket on 12 attempts. The Cougars sent the RiverHawks up to the line 16 times on ten fouls where they scored ten points.
Azusa Pacific finished the game missing ten straight from the arc in the loss.
TURNING POINT
An 11-4 run to close out the third quarter gave the RiverHawks a 51-44 advantage over the Cougars who shot 25.9-percent on 10-for-39 shooting in the final 20 minutes.
IN THE BOX
- Maddie Morrow had a team high seven rebounds in her first NSU start.
- The RiverHawks were out-rebounded 46-to-42 by the Cougars.
- Northeastern State hit a season high nine three pointers.
- Bertrand had three blocks to send her season total to 16.
COMING UP
Northeastern State heads to UA-Fort Smith (1-5) on Wednesday for a 5:30 tip-off.