EMPORIA, Kan. – Bailee Eldred hit 1,000 career points but the RiverHawks would fall short of upending #25-ranked Emporia State, 66-60, on Saturday afternoon.  

Eldred, a two-year transfer from Murray State (Okla.) has 510 points in her time at Northeastern State.  The Sulphur, Okla. native paced NSU on the floor with 17 points and was a rebound short of her tenth double-double. 

Cailyn Long was NSU's second leading scorer with 13 and Cielo McClain had nine points off the bench. Cenia Hayes added eight points with five assists and five rebounds.  

Northeastern State's defense held the Hornets to 34.4-percent shooting (21-61), their third-worst outing of the season to keep the ballgame close.  

The RiverHawks held the largest lead of the day after a run of 11 straight points in third gave them a 40-31 lead on the Lady Hornets at 6:16 mark.   Emporia State would heat up in the quarter and responded back with a 17-3 run to retake the lead for the final time. 

Northeastern State would get within a point of the ESU three times in the final five minutes.  Trailing 62-60 with 40 seconds left, the RiverHawks would miss a layup with the Lady Hornets recovering the ball and draining a three-pointer to ice the game. 

The loss to Emporia State (20-5, 11-4 MIAA) will drop the RiverHawks to 6-18 and 3-12 in the MIAA. 

TIP-INS 
Eighth straight win for Emporia State … second NSU player to hit 1,000 points, Long hit the milestone number earlier in the season, but played all four seasons in a RiverHawks' jersey … rebounds were even at 34 … Joi Bertrand had four blocks to push her season total up to 64. 

COMING UP 
Northeastern State returns home to host Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday evening for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.