TAHLEQUAH – A big run to end the first half by #2-ranked Northwest Missouri doomed Northeastern State 105-70 on Thursday evening in their MIAA home opener.
 
Trailing by only one (23-22) with 6:23 left in the first half, things went sideways for NSU with the Bearcats outscoring them 32-to-11.   Eight of Northwest's 19 treys on Thursday were landed during that time span as they moved up to 13-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA. 
 
All 11 players who saw playing time for NSU scored with Bradley George having a team high 13 points in his first start of the season.  Northeastern State falls to 6-6 and is winless in three MIAA contests.
 
NSU shot the ball efficiently going 26-for-49 on the floor and led the rebounding battle by seven with 27 as a team.
 
Caleb Smith was the RiverHawks' second leading scorer with ten points, with three others collecting eight. 
 
Ryan Hawkins had a game high 31 points in the win to lead the Beracats who shot 19-for-29 at the arc as a team, and was 64.3 from the field.
 
THE NUMBERS
4 – Fourth time NSU has shot above 50-percent as a team.
5 – Fifth straight double-digit game for Smith.
8 – Eighth time this season Northeastern State has out-rebounded a team this season.
 
TIP-INS
NSU is the first team this season to out-rebound Northwest … the loss sends the RiverHawks to 11-1 all-time against the Bearcats … D'Angelo Jackson and George both had a team high five assists … Aaron Givens was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and connected on his lone shot at the free-throw line.
 
COMING UP
Northeastern State will host Missouri Western next on Saturday afternoon; tip is set for 3:30 p.m.