TAHLEQUAH – Cenia Hayes led the RiverHawks with her fourth 20-point game of the season but they would fall to #23 Central Missouri 71-59 on Thursday evening inside the NSU Event Center.
 
Hayes finished with an even 20-points and had five rebounds along with four assists.  Joi Bertrand, Bailee Eldred, and Cailyn Long all had ten points apiece for the RiverHawks.
 
Northeastern State hung with Jennies (14-4, 7-3 MIAA) early and were even at 21-21 after the first quarter of play.
 
In the second period, turnovers turned the course of the game for the RiverHawks with the Jennies outscoring them 11-to-2 off seven miscues.   Central Missouri finished the period outscoring the RiverHawks 21-to-11 and took a double-figure lead into the intermission.
 
Northeastern State trailed the Jennies the rest of the way and the closest they would get would be near the end of the third period following a Long layup to get them within seven (53-46).
 
The RiverHawks would commit 23 turnovers, its highest total in the last seven games.   In points off turnovers, NSU was outscored 24-to-10.
 
Shooting wise, NSU had a slight edge going 49-percent (24-49), and they out-rebounded the Jennies by three with 32.   Eldred finished with a game high eight and Joi Bertrand had six.
 
Thursday's loss drops the RiverHawks to 5-15 overall and 2-9 in MIAA play.
 
TIP-INS
Eldred's ten points brings the senior within 39 of 1,000 in her overall career … Bertrand had four blocks to bring her season total to 48 … Maegan Lee led NSU off the bench with seven points in 29 minutes of action.
 
COMING UP
Northeastern State continues their homestand on Saturday with Southwest Baptist; tip-off is set for 1:30 pm.