TOPEKA, Kan. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team earned a 70-67 road win over Washburn Wednesday night inside Lee Arena.
 
The RiverHawks (8-15, 7-12 MIAA) secured their first true road victory of the season and leapt two spots into a three-way tie for 11th in the MIAA standings with three games remaining in the regular season. The Ichabods (14-10, 10-9 MIAA) slipped into sixth.
 
Senior guard Killven Samuel came off the bench to lead all scorers with 19 points. Senior forward Dakota Caudill, junior forward KD Moore and sophomore guard Montre' Williams all registered 13 points in the winning effort.
 
Northeastern State shot 33.9 percent (19-for-56) from the field, 15 percent (3-for-20) from 3-point territory and 72.5 percent (29-for-40) at the free-throw line. WU shot 43.1 percent (25-for-58) overall, 42.9 percent (9-for-21) from deep range and 53.3 percent (8-for-15) at the line.
 
Brady Skeens led Washburn with 13 points and 18 rebounds despite a porous 3-of-9 effort at the free-throw line. Randall Smith and Cameron Wiggins both chipped in 12, while Javion Blake added 10.
 
The RiverHawks led 29-27 at halftime, and the point total for the home team was the fewest allowed by NSU against an opponent in either half all season. The green and white also improved to 7-2 against Washburn since joining the NCAA in 1996-97.
 
After a 3-point basket from Caudill to start the second half, Washburn ventured on a 17-4 run over the next six minutes to take a commanding 44-36 lead.
 
The RiverHawks were quickly able to swing momentum back in their favor with a 9-0 run of their own. Junior guard Mytaa'h Crawford made four-straight free throws followed by a pair of freebies from Samuel to push NSU's lead to 51-46 with 9:29 to play, and the visitors never trailed again.
 
Washburn was able to stay within six points in the final nine minutes, but the RiverHawks kept the Ichabods at an arm's length as they held on for the upset win.
 
Northeastern State led in steals (7-3), points off turnovers (21-8), second-chance points (8-6), bench production (53-22) and fewer turnovers (9-16). The Ichabods led in assists (17-9), points in the paint (32-26) and fast-break points (6-4). The two teams tied in rebounding (40-40) and blocks (1-1).

NSU will look to secure a second-straight road triumph when the team sets its sights on Emporia State. The RiverHawks and Hornets are scheduled to meet at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 20 inside White Auditorium in Emporia, Kansas.
 
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