TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State could not slow down a hot second half by Emporia State and fell 83-76 on Thursday evening in their home finale.
 
The loss sends NSU (14-14, 8-11 MIAA) in limbo for the next few days with the remaining regular season games concluding on Saturday. 
 
Presently the RiverHawks are in eighth place a half game back of Lindenwood and a half game ahead of three teams tied for ninth.  If NSU were to qualify for the MIAA Tournament, they would play on Wednesday, March 6 at either noon or 2:15 p.m.
 
The win over the RiverHawks kept Emporia State (12-15, 7-11 MIAA) in the postseason race and are one of those three teams a half-game back of NSU.  
 
Despite shooting 62.5-percent in the second half, Empoira State could not entirely shake off the RiverHawks, with the largest lead coming at ten points.  
 
Northeastern State held the lead for just under five minutes, mostly at the start of the second half where they sunk four treys.  The tide turned at the 11:51 mark with the game tied at 50-50 and Emporia drained a three to open a 12-2 run for the Hornets. 
 
Emporia's Malik Hluchoweckyj proved to be the difference maker in the second half with 17 points.  The senior would wind up having a career night with 24 points.
 
Trent Cantrell paced Northeastern State on the floor with 20 points.  Bradley George and Caleb Smith both added 17 points.
 
George led the RiverHawks with seven rebounds and seven assists.
 
TIP-INS
19th game this season that NSU has out-rebounded a team … fourth 20 point game this season for Cantrell … Michael Bowers played 16 minutes, his most since Nov. 30, 2018 against Central Christian, and had six points off the bench …
 
COMING UP
A tournament bracket will be released on Saturday, follow GoRiverHawksGo.com for more information.