JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team lost 62-55 to Missouri Southern State Saturday afternoon at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
 
The RiverHawks (3-4, 0-2 MIAA) lost their fourth-consecutive game, while the Lions improved to 7-1 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.
 
Junior forward Mary Jane Buschmann led NSU with 14 points, while sophomore forward Destiny Strange added 10 off the bench. Senior guard Kate Bellamy and true freshman guards Cailyn Long and Kylie Looney all scored nine points for the visitors.
 
Northeastern State shot 42.2 percent (19-for-45) from the field, 36.8 percent (7-for-19) from behind the 3-point line and 83.3 percent (10-for-12) at the free-throw line. Missouri Southern State shot 48.9 percent (23-for-47) overall, 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from distance and 70 percent (7-for-10) at the charity stripe.
 
Deb Holcomb was the lone Lion in double figures, as she finished with a game-high 23 points.
 
MSSU led in rebounds (32-21), assists (12-9) and points in the paint (26-25), while the RiverHawks led in fewer turnovers (11-13), steals (6-2) and bench points (30-22).
 
Northeastern State will return to action with a third-consecutive road game. The RiverHawks will meet Lindenwood at 1 p.m. Dec. 12 in St. Charles, Missouri.

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