TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team lost 59-56 to No. 9 Fort Hays State Thursday night at the NSU Event Center.
 
The RiverHawks (8-19, 5-16 MIAA) remained in 11th place in the conference, while the Tigers (24-3, 18-3) stayed in second.
 
True freshman guard Cailyn Long led NSU with her first career double-double as she registered 15 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow true freshmen guards Kylie Looney (12) and Eriyonna Irvin (11) also scored in double figures, while senior guard Kate Bellamy chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Sophomore guard Alexis Hill also stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, nine boards, three assists and two steals.
 
NSU outshot FHSU in all three phases of the game. The green and white shot 34.6 percent (18-for-52) from the field, 30.8 percent (8-for-26) from behind the 3-point line and 70.6 percent (12-for-17) at the free-throw line. Fort Hays State shot just 32.8 percent (20-for-61) overall, 27.3 percent (6-for-22) from deep and 65 percent (13-for-20) at the line.
 
Chelsea Mason hoisted up 19 shots en route to a game-high 19 points, while Beth Bohuslavsky added 11 for the visitors.
 
The RiverHawks led in rebounding (44-38), assists (17-4), second-chance points (7-2), fast-break points (4-2) and bench points (11-9). The Tigers led in blocks (5-4), steals (7-3), points in the paint (18-16), points off turnovers (13-0), and fewer turnovers (3-13).
 
NSU will close out the regular season with a 1:30 p.m. contest Feb. 27 against Nebraska-Kearney at home. The game will be Senior Day for Northeastern State, and Bellamy and Minja Savic will be recognized after the contest.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-