WEATHERFORD – Northeastern State had three in double-figures but they could not recover from a 22-point first half deficit on Saturday and fell 87-71 to Southwestern Oklahoma.
 
The RiverHawks outscored the Lady Bulldogs 51-45 in the final 20 minutes and cut their lead in half down to 12 points in the final two minutes.  Cailyn Long had all 20 of her points in the second half to account for near half of NSU's points behind five three pointers.
 
Lauryn Blevins and Destiny Strange both had 11 points for NSU as the others in double-figures against Southwestern Oklahoma. 
 
A 19-1 run by the Lady Bulldogs the lasted for nearly seven minutes between the first two quarters was the deciding factor against the RiverHawks.  During that span, NSU shot 0-for-10 from the field, with their lone point coming at the free throw line.  At the end of the SWOSU run, the RiverHawks trailed 33-12.
 
Late in the game in the fourth quarter, Northeastern State sank five straight shots to outscore the Lady Bulldogs 14-3 to get within 79-67 which would be the closest they would get.
 
Southwestern Oklahoma who moves to 6-0 overall with the win, shot 40.6-percent (28-69) from the field, and had a 51-42 rebounding lead on the RiverHawks; Hailey Tucker led all players on the floor with a double-double, scoring 29 points and grabbing 11 boards.
 
Northeastern State shot 35.2-percent from the field (25-71) with Miranda Griffin leading NSU with six rebounds.  The loss for the RiverHawks sends them to 3-2 overall.
 
Tree Brooks led all players with seven assists and she also had five points.
 
Northeastern State will remain on the road and will open MIAA play with Northwest Missouri on Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m.