TAHLEQUAH – A late Central Oklahoma fourth quarter run downed the RiverHawks, 73-66, on Saturday afternoon inside the NSU Event Center. 
 
Cenia Hayes paced the RiverHawks on the floor with 15 points along with five rebounds.  Joi Bertrand was NSU's second player in double-figures with 12 points.  Bailee Eldred flirted with a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. 
 
Northeastern State trailed as many as 12 points in the first half before they stifled the Bronchos with 12 unanswered points to close out the half with a 39-34 lead.  Central Oklahoma (15-8, 6-7 MIAA) was limited to eight points in the second period while being outscored by 14.
 
The second half remained tight for both squads and NSU led (57-56) up to 6:36 in the fourth.  Central Oklahoma would go on a 10-1 on the RiverHawks in the next two minutes to tip the scales for the final time. 
 
Northeastern State finished the game shooting 42.6-percent (26-61) on the floor and they would out-rebound Central Oklahoma by five with 37. 
 
"We just struggled to get some constancy on the offensive end but for the most part defensively, we were hanging in there with them, but our offense just struggled with constancy," said head coach Fala Bullock.
 
"Today we just seemed a little off we had some really good practices this week and we felt like we had a good game plan."
 
Saturday's loss will send the RiverHawks to 6-16 and 3-10 in the MIAA.
 
TIP-INS
Third straight game that NSU has out-rebounded its opponent … Eldred's nine points will put her at 986 in her career between Northeastern State and Murray State (Okla.) … seventh straight game that Eldred has been a leading rebounder for the RiverHawks … fifth straight win for UCO over the RiverHawks.
 
COMING UP
Northeastern State will head to Topeka, Kan. next to face Washburn on Feb. 14 for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.