JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The good times keep rolling for the RiverHawks who pushed their winning streak to four games with an 80-72 triumph at Lincoln on Thursday evening.
 
Caleb Smith, the MIAA's most recent Athlete for the Week, continued the shine bright with a double-double against the Blue Tigers who saw a four game home streak snapped.   Smith recorded a career high 28 points and 11 rebounds for the RiverHawks who climb to 10-8 overall and 4-5 in the MIAA. 
 
Josh Ihek joined the fun with the team's second double-double of the evening with 13 points and ten rebounds.  Tanner Mouse added 18 with six rebounds. 
 
Smith carried the RiverHawks through the first half with 21 points and hitting five treys.  Still, his efforts alone couldn't keep them ahead.  Fouls would send the Blue Tigers up the free throw line 11 times and they would take a slim 41-40 advantage into the intermission.   
 
The Blue Tigers continued to hold onto a small lead until a 7-2 run that ran into the midway point of the second half to give NSU a 60-54 advantage.
 
Northeastern State never trailed again.  Lincoln would pull even for the ninth time at 69-69 with 3:12 remaining but the RiverHawks slammed the door shut with eight unanswered points.
 
The RiverHawks shot 49.1-percent (26-53) and dominated the glass by 16 with 43 rebounds.
 
Lincoln's Jonell Burton had a game high 31 points as the Blue Tigers fall to 12-5 and 5-3 in the MIAA.
 
TIP-INS
Sixth game in a row that NSU has out-shot and out-rebounded its opponent … second time this season that NSU had two players with a double-double (last Nov. 27 vs. Bacone) … longest winning streak for NSU since the 2013-14 season … the win gives NSU a 6-5 series lead over Lincoln.  
 
COMING UP
Northeastern State will face Lindenwood (11-9, 4-4 MIAA) next on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in St. Charles, Mo.