EMPORIA, Kan. – Caleb Smith's double-double was not enough for the RiverHawks as they dropped their fourth straight game, falling to Emporia State, 70-64 on Saturday evening.

Smith had 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for NSU, while Tanner Mouse paced the squad with 19 points.  Josh Ihek added 12 off the bench along with three blocks.

The RiverHawks have now bookended their six-game winning streak with four straight losses on both ends.   With a 6-9 MIAA record and four games left in the regular season, NSU is in a five-way tie for seventh place in the conference standings. 

Northeastern State reeled in the Hornets in the second half and spun around a 48-39 ESU lead with a 15-5 run.  With five minutes to go, the RiverHawks carried the momentum and a 56-53 advantage.  

The Hornets stung back with 12 unanswered points thanks to three straight treys.  Trailing by nine (65-56), Smith gave NSU some life with back-to-back treys with under a minute remaining to get them back within three.  Emporia State responded in the following possession with a dunk to close the door on NSU. 

"I thought we played well enough to win," said head coach Mark Downey. "We don't finish the game.  Our guys are having a hard time understanding how important every possession is in a game.  We got to get to the point where everyone is playing well at the same time.  We did that before and everyone could see what we can do."

"It's hard to win on the road in this league and we certainly had our opportunities."

Saturday's loss will drop the RiverHawks back to .500 for the season at 12-12.

TIP-INS 
Smith's 15 rebounds were the most for an NSU player since Curtis Evans had 16 on Nov. 13, 2013, against Hillsdale Free Will Baptist … Emporia State halted an NSU three-game winning streak against them …. RiverHawks out-rebounded the Hornets 41-to-35 … 17 times this season they have out-rebounded as a team. 

COMING UP 
Northeastern State returns home to host Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday evening for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.