TAHLEQUAH – Montre' Williams knocked down six three-pointers to lead Northeastern State to their first win the season and beating #23 UA-Fort Smith 70-65 on Tuesday in the RiverHawks' home opener at the NSU Event Center.
 
Northeastern State is coming off a near upset at NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin and the momentum carried over to Tuesday where they shot 42.4-percent (25-59) on the floor. 
  
"The game at Stephen F. Austin gave us some confidence that we can play with people if we do what we are coached to do," said head coach Jason Tinsley.  "Everybody played their role tonight…this is a good win, they (UAFS) got a good team and great program, they are picked to win their league, and they'll have a chance to be in the NCAA Tournament."

"We are not a great shooting team...tonight will be probably be our season high," added Tinsley.  "We said this before the game tonight that we need to pass off the good shot to get a great shot by the right person." 
 
The largest lead of the night was eight points and NSU didn't take true control of the contest until the RiverHawks engaged in a 15-2 run to take a 47-42 lead with 10 minutes to go in regulation.   The Lions did make a run in the closing minutes and retook the lead 50-49 with six minutes' left and Williams broke the game's third tie two minutes later on a jumper to go up 54-52.
 
Northeastern State stayed in front the rest of the way with UAFS holding close and they cut a five-point lead with 2:11 left on a trey to get within two (61-59) but following a Fort Smith timeout, Williams sank his sixth three pointer of the night to ice the contest.
 
UA-Fort Smith had a slight 35-to-32 rebounding edge on the RiverHawks and shot the ball better at 43.4-percent.  However most of the Lions shots were made inside the arc with UAFS going 5-for-25 from long range.
 
NSU forced 12 turnovers while committing seven on their side of the court.
 
Cameron Martin had 15 points and three assists, Juvon Turner scored 12 points, with six boards, and three blocks.  Braxton Williams poked away three steals with three assists.
 
UAFS was led by Alex Cooper who had 15 points.
 
The RiverHawks will go to 1-3 this season and UA-Fort Smith goes to 4-3 in non-conference play.  Northeastern State will host Friends University on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- First time since Michael Harmon vs. Lindenwood on Dec. 16, 2014 that the RiverHawks had a player hit six three-pointers.
- Career high six three-pointers by Montre' Williams.
- NSU led 12-to-6 in points off of turnovers.
- First program win for the RiverHawks over UAFS, the series record is now 1-3.
 
UA-FORT SMITH (4-3)
Alex Cooper 3-6 8-8 15; Dalton Glapion 6-8 2-2 14; Seth Youngblood 5-10 1-1 12; Ognjen Vasiljevic 3-6 1-1 9; Kyree Elder 3-8 2-2 9; Ladarius Coleman 1-3 1-2 3; Darrius Parker 1-2 0-0 2; Brett Jolly 0-2 1-3 1; Osahen Iduwe 0-0 0-0 0; DaVaunta Thomas 0-6 0-0 0. Totals 22-51 16-19 65.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE (1-3)
Williams, Montre' 9-18 2-2 26; Martin, Cameron 5-12 2-3 15; Turner, Juvon 6-10 0-0 12; Williams, Braxton 1-6 3-3 5; Mouse, Tanner 2-6 0-0 5; Wallace, Javon 0-1 3-4 3; Cantrell, Trent 1-2 0-0 2; Hill, Gordon 1-1 0-0 2; Keyhea, Russell 0-3 0-0 0; Broadnax, Erick 0-0 0-2 0; Kingsley, Scott 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-59 10-14 70.
 
UA-Fort Smith.................   28   37  -   65
Northeastern State............   24   46  -   70
 
3-point goals--UA-Fort Smith 5-20 (Ognjen Vasiljevic 2-4; Alex Cooper 1-4; Seth Youngblood 1-4; Kyree Elder 1-4; DaVaunta Thomas 0-4), Northeastern State 10-26 (Williams, Montre' 6-12; Martin, Cameron 3-7; Mouse, Tanner 1-4; Williams, Braxton 0-3).
Fouled out--UA-Fort Smith-None, Northeastern State-None.
Rebounds--UA-Fort Smith 35 (Dalton Glapion 9), Northeastern State 32 (Turner, Juvon 6).
Assists--UA-Fort Smith 11 (Alex Cooper 5), Northeastern State 17 (Mouse, Tanner 4; Williams, Montre' 4).
Total fouls--UA-Fort Smith 17, Northeastern State 15.
Technical fouls--UA-Fort Smith-None, Northeastern State-TEAM.