From NSU Sports Information
WOMEN
Last-Second Lewis Lifts RiverHawks
Senior hits jumper with 2.8 seconds left to give NSU 54-53 win at UCO
EDMOND, Okla. – Senior guard Taylor Lewis rattled home a 10-foot jumper with 2.8 seconds to play to lift the Northeastern State women’s basketball team to a 54-53 victory over Central Oklahoma Wednesday night inside Hamilton Field House.
The RiverHawks (10-5, 5-2 MIAA) held their largest lead of the game at 16 points with just 9:33 left in the contest, but the Bronchos (8-7, 1-6 MIAA) went on a 22-6 run over the course of the next 8:18 to tie the contest at 50-50.
Senior forward Sarah Green converted a layup with 40 seconds left, but a three from Chelsi Dennis with just 17 seconds to play gave the home side its first lead of the game at 53-52.
NSU coach Randy Gipson called a timeout to calm his team down, and the RiverHawks looked the part in the final ticks off the clock.
After the team broke the press and set up the offense, Lewis collected the ball on the right wing and proceeded to dribble through the top of the post on the left side.
Lewis was being heavily guarded, but a well-timed pump fake forced her defender to jump early. She was able to rise above and get off a clean shot, and the ball bounced on the rim and went down as NSU regained the lead with 2.8 seconds left to play.
Central Oklahoma was unable to attempt a clean look as Northeastern State thwarted the comeback.
Lewis finished the contest with a game-high 19 points on an efficient 7-for-13 shooting. She was also 5-for-10 from distance. Sophomore guard Chelsey Stricklen tied her career high with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Fellow sophomore guard Fontana Tate scored six points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds.
The RiverHawks went 10-for-34 from downtown in the game. The 34 attempts were the most since a meeting with Cameron on Feb. 24, 2010.
The Bronchos were led in scoring by Rachel New’s 13 off the bench. Whitney Dunn added 12 and Alyssa Fuxa contributed 10.
NSU returns to Jack Dobbins Field House for a matchup with No. 9 Washburn at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19.
MEN
NSU Snaps Three-Game Skid at UCO
Northeastern State defeats Central Oklahoma 80-71, Sheppard scores career-high 20
EDMOND, Okla. – The Northeastern State men’s basketball team defeated Central Oklahoma 80-71 Wednesday night at Hamilton Field House.
The RiverHawks (11-4, 4-3 MIAA) snapped a three-game losing skid, while also halting the Bronchos (6-9, 4-3 MIAA) recent three-game win streak. Northeastern State earned its first win over UCO in Edmond since Feb. 4, 2009.
Senior forward Jermaine Bransford paced NSU with 22 points and nine rebounds, while playing all 40 minutes. He was 8-for-10 from the field and 6 of 7 at the free-throw line.
Junior forward Marcus Sheppard made four shots from distance and recorded a career-best 20 points. Junior guard Bryton Hobbs was 13-for-13 from the free-throw line and finished with 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Senior guard Ethan Anderson added 10 points.
NSU shot 48 percent from the field (22-for-46), 28 percent from behind the arc (5-for-18) and 86 percent from the charity stripe (31-for-36). The 31 made free throws was the most in a game by Northeastern State since Jan. 13, 2010 against Cameron.
The Bronchos were led by Josh Gibbs, who scored 18 points. Spencer Smith contributed 12 and Christian Huffman came off the bench to add 11.
UCO shot 49 percent from the field (25-for-51), 22 percent from downtown (4-for-18) and 74 percent from the line (17-for-23).
The RiverHawks outrebounded their opponents 30-23, and both teams recorded 11 turnovers and nine assists.
Northeastern State is set to return to the friendly confines of Jack Dobbins Field House at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19, when the team plays host to No. 10 Washburn.
Cedrique Flemming is the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Northeastern State University.