PITTSBURG, Kan. – Northeastern State's offense cooled in the second half as they fell at Pittsburg State 80-59 late Saturday afternoon. 

Juvon Turner was NSU lone player in double-figures with 12 points against the Gorillas, while Tyler Williams and Tanner Mouse both had nine. 

The contest was a tale of two halves for the RiverHawks were they shot 50-percent (12-24) in the first half and 32-percent (8-25) in the final 20 minutes.   Pitt State remained consistent from the field shooting 54.1-percent (33-61), with five players in double-figures.

Rebounding and second chance points were favored to the opposition with PSU picking up 40 rebounds with 15 coming from the offensive end; the Gorillas would gather 14 points on their second try at the hoop.  Northeastern State was limited to 22 rebounds, with six on the offensive side, and had three points on their second chance.    

Despite shooting well in the first half, the RiverHawks trailed most of the way.  A Pitt State 13-2 run pulled the Gorillas ahead by 11 with 11:24 remaining in the opening period.  Northeastern State closed the gap down to six twice thanks to two 6-0 runs on the Gorillas but the RiverHawks would finish the half trailing 43-32. 

Momentum was with NSU early in the second half and after a Trent Cantrell free throw the RiverHawks were down 47-41 at the 15:28 mark.   NSU went cold from the field and didn't sink a bucket for five minutes while Pitt State scored 14 straight and the RiverHawks couldn't recover from the gap.  

Turner led the RiverHawks with five rebounds, with Mouse having four, and four assists.

Pitt State was led by Ishiah Hicks and Jordan Phelps who both had 13 points.  The Gorillas snapped a six game skid with the win and will go to 4-16 and 2-10 the MIAA; Northeastern State falls to 3-16 and 2-9 in MIAA play.

The RiverHawks will return home on Feb. 2 to host Southwest Baptist at 7:30 p.m. inside the NSU Event Center.