RiverHawks Blow By Lady Lions, 87-50

The Northeastern State women's basketball team posted an 87-50 victory over Lindenwood Thursday night inside Jack Dobbins Field House.

The RiverHawks (15-6, 10-3 MIAA) moved into third place in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with the help of a season-high 87 points. The Lady Lions (4-16, 1-11 MIAA) dropped their seventh-straight contest to stay on the bottom of the league table.

NSU was led by sophomore guard Fontana Tate, who posted a career-high 17 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting. She also made all three shots from distance and both free throws. Senior guards Tosha Tyler and Taylor Lewis both scored 15 points, and senior forward Sarah Green had 12 points and 10 rebounds for NSU's first double-double of the year.

Junior guard Taylor Collins scored seven points and added five rebounds and a career-high six steals. Junior forward Carrington Fox tied her career high with five blocks, and she also recorded six points, four rebounds, and four assists.

The RiverHawks shot 52 percent (33-for-63) from the field and finished 11-for-25 (44 percent) from downtown and 10-for-12 at the line (83 percent).

Lindenwood shot 28 percent (16-for-58) from the field, 19 percent (4-for-21) from behind the three-point line and 88 percent (14-for-16) at the charity stripe.

The Lady Lions were led by Julie Hlinak's 17 points. Marissa Lehnig added 13 and Meagan Hittle contributed 12 for the visitors.

Northeastern State took an early 8-3 lead, but Lindenwood battled back to within one at 13-12. Tate drained a triple at 13:49 and the RiverHawks steadily climbed to a nine-point advantage at 29-20 with 3:57 remaining in the half.

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, the home side scored on seven of its final eight possessions to close the half on a 20-7 run and lead 49-27 at intermission.

Lindenwood would never challenge for the lead in the second half as NSU cruised to the 37-point victory.

The 49 points in the opening half were the most scored by the RiverHawks in any half this season.

Northeastern State will next play host to No. 19 Truman State at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 inside Jack Dobbins Field House. The Bulldogs fell at Pittsburg State today and sit at 16-4 overall and 9-3 in the MIAA.