HAYS, Kan. – The RiverHawks had four in double-figures but fell in a close 73-66 battle at Fort Hays State on Thursday night. 

Tanner Mouse paced NSU with 17 points which was one short tying a career mark for the sophomore, Karon Waller scored 14 points off the bench in the second half, Juvon Turner added 12, and Montre' Williams scored ten.

The first 20 minutes were a shootout with both teams hitting over 60-percent the field.  Despite shooting well in the first half, the RiverHawks trailed as-many-as ten points to Fort Hays State.   NSU scored eight unanswered on the Tigers during a three-minute stretch to get within 30-28 with 3:36 left on the clock; the Tigers would expand their lead to seven by halftime.

Fort Hays State led by 13-points in the second half before the RiverHawks went on a 13-4 run to make it a 63-59 ballgame after a Turner free-throw with 3:48 left.  Northeastern State closed to get within three of the Tigers on three occasions but couldn't get down another trey to tie or a layup get within one of the Tigers.  Free-throws by FHSU iced the game and expanded the lead to the final buzzer.

Despite the hot shooting in the first half, both teams leveled off in the final 20 minutes.  Northeastern State left the floor going 48-percent (24-50) from the field and Fort Hays shot 53.1-percent (26-49).

An off night at the line didn't do the RiverHawks any favors with the team going 13-for-22 or 59.1-percent; up to Thursday, NSU in MIAA play led the field with a 78.6-percentage.   In rebounding, NSU trailed 31-to-23 to the Tigers with Mouse leading the RiverHawks with four.

The Tigers had four in double-figures with Hadley Gilum scoring a game high 21 points as FHSU goes to 14-8 overall and 8-6 in the MIAA.  Northeastern State falls to 3-19 and 2-12 in league play, both teams will meet again next Thursday at the NSU Event Center to close out the home-and-home series.

NSU will travel further north and visit Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. tip.