TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State erased a ten point second half deficit but could not hold onto a late lead to fall 77-66 on Saturday evening to Lincoln at the NSU Event Center.  The RiverHawks (3-11, 0-6 MIAA) pulled ahead by eight points with eight minutes to go but a run of 14 straight points by the Blue Tigers (7-9, 1-5 MIAA) back peddled NSU to their ninth consecutive loss.
 
NSU had three in double-figure scoring with graduate guard Jamir Andrews having 13 points, Coryon Mason and Tanner Mouse both added 12.  Montre' Williams scored eight on Saturday to bring the senior to 910 career points.
 
The RiverHawks led for the better part of the first half but a 14-2 run leading into halftime and into the second period put them behind by ten (44-34) at the 16:45 mark.  The tide of momentum switched sides for nearly nine minutes with NSU forcing six Lincoln turnovers and going on a 23-5 run.  With 8:08 remaining following an Andrews' trey, Northeastern State was up 57-49.   In the following possession, the Blue Tigers hit a responding three-pointer and the RiverHawks never could regain their footing.  LU scored 14-straight points to erase the NSU advantage and retake the lead for the final time.
 
In the final eight minutes, NSU went 0-for-5 from the arc, and was 1-for-7 at the free-throw line; Lincoln shot 9-for-13 from the field with three treys, and was 7-for-7 on the line.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
11 – Jamir Andrews has scored 10+ points in 11 games this season and leads the team in scoring with 13.9 points a game.
14 – The RiverHawks had 14 rebounds on the offensive glass, which was their highest total in the last eight games.  NSU led 14-to-8 in second chance points.
19 – Lincoln went 19-for-19 at the free-throw line against the RiverHawks and was first team this season to have a perfect day at the line against NSU.
 
UP NEXT
Northeastern State will be on the road next week for a swing through Kansas starting with Washburn on Thursday, Jan. 11.