Box Score

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WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team dropped a 77-69 decision to Central Missouri Wednesday night at UCM Multipurpose Building.
 
The RiverHawks (10-3, 3-2 MIAA) lost their second in a row, while the Mules (9-3, 3-1 MIAA) picked up their third-straight win.
 
Senior forward Jermaine Bransford recorded his sixth double-double in the last seven games, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Junior guard Bryton Hobbs dropped 25 points and senior guard Ethan Anderson added 14.
 
Northeastern State shot 50 percent from the field (26-for-52) and 39 percent from behind the three-point line (5-for-13). Central Missouri shot 44 percent from the field (24-for-55) and 38 percent from behind the arc (6-for-16).
 
The two teams took an 11-11 draw into the first media timeout, but a 16-2 run by the home side gave UCM a 27-13 edge at the 7:24 mark. The Mules used that run to coast to a 35-22 advantage at halftime.
 
The RiverHawks battled back the entire second half, chipping into the lead all the way down to 60-59 with 3:44 to play.
 
With NSU down 64-62, junior forward Marcus Sheppard missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and then missed a three-point shot that would have given Northeastern State the lead. Central Missouri went on a 7-0 run and was never again threatened.
 
Dominique Long and Lance Beckwith both led UCM with 17 points each. Widgett Washington added 15 for the home side.
 
Northeastern State will now head to Bolivar, Mo., for a 7:30 p.m. tilt Jan. 12 with Southwest Baptist.


NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH LARRY GIPSON
On the keys to the game…
“The most obvious thing that led to the end result was the way we started the game. (Central Missouri) hit us in the mouth two or three times early. They went right at us, and we backed down and thoroughly did not compete in the first half. Our guys came back and fought in the second half and gave ourselves a chance to win the game. If we could have made one or two more plays, then realistically we would've had a chance to win the game. We can't start games in this league like we have the last two and expect to win.”
 
On making the second-half comeback and having a chance to win the game…
“I'm proud of how we played in the second half. I think we competed hard, and we demonstrated that there is a good team within us. But we knew that already. We have to come to grips with how hard it is every night in this league at this level. We have to come ready to play.”
 
On the return of Christian Mack from injury…
“Christian Mack is an important component in the makeup of this team, because he is one player that brings it every day. And he is a smart basketball player. He thinks the game very well, so the sooner we can get him back to full strength, the better we will be.”
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-