TAHLEQUAH – Joi Bertrand's career afternoon was not enough for the RiverHawks who fell in a tough battle to Pittsburg State, 76-69, on Saturday afternoon inside the NSU Event Center.
 
Bertrand led the RiverHawks with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting against the Gorillas (15-2, 7-1 MIAA).
 
The RiverHawks led for nearly the entirety of the first half off 50.0-percent shooting and took a five point (42-37) advantage into the locker room.
 
A momentum shift with ten unanswered points to start the half by Pitt State gave them the lead.  Northeastern State stayed on the trail within two possessions the rest of the way. 
 
Late in third with just over a minute remaining, a trey from Julia Hill pulled the RiverHawks even at 56 with Pitt but a three-minute scoreless stretch allowed the Gorillas to pull back ahead for the final time.
 
The Gorillas stung the RiverHawks in two major categories, second chance points, and points off turnovers.  Pitt State led those stat lines a combined 36-to-14.  
 
Bailee Eldred finished as NSU's second leading scorer with 13 points and added seven rebounds.  Cenia Hayes had 11 along with five rebounds and five assists.
 
Northeastern State shot 47.2-percent (25-53) and had 31 rebounds, as the loss will send them to 4-13 overall and 1-7 in MIAA play.   Maegan Lee, Julia Hill, along with Cailyn Long all had nine points.
 
TIP-INS
Final score was the largest lead of the night be either team ….halted a three game streak by the RiverHawks of having a player with a double-double … Cailyn Long had nine points and is now tied for sixth in scoring all-time at NSU with 1,089 career points … holding the nation's best free throw percentage, Eldred went 3-for-3.
 
COMING UP
Northeastern State returns to the road to face Lincoln (Mo.) on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.