TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State let a 14-point halftime lead slip away as Central Oklahoma rallied for a 75-62 victory in MIAA Conference action at the NSU Event Center here Saturday afternoon.

NSU falls to 13-13 on the year and 8-12 in conference play.

The RiverHawks were on fire in the opening 20 minutes, hitting 17-29 from the field for 58 percent and was 7-14 from behind the arc to take a 41-27 lead into the break.  Emeka Obukwelu was 5-6 from the floor to lead all scorers with 11 first-half points.  UCO was held to 9-31 from the field for 29 percent.

NSU battled foul trouble and poor shooting in the second half as UCO turned up the defensive intensity to pull away for the 75-62 victory.

Rashad Perkins led the RiverHawks with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists; Obukwelu finished with 13 points and pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds.  Jaxon Jones came off the bench to chip in nine points.

Northeastern State will close out the season with a pair of games against Rogers State.  The Hillcats will travel to Tahlequah on Wednesday.  Game time is slated for 6 p.m.  The RiverHawks will then travel to Claremore on Saturday for a 3:30 tip.