TAHLEQUAH – Dillon Bailey scored ten points in the final 50 seconds to lead the RiverHawks past Washburn 72-71 on Saturday. 

The RiverHawks trailed 68-63 before they went on a 10-3 run to close out the game.  Bailey scored the tying bucket with 3.7 seconds left in the game and drew an offensive foul, leading to the go-ahead winning free throw. 

"It's all about players making plays in a tight game, and I thought our guys did a great job of stepping up when we needed," said head coach Ja Havens.  "Dillon stepped up and made a big three-point shot, makes a big three-point play, and made his free throws when it wasn't looking good."

"The team stepped up and made the plays.  I'm just really happy for them, we needed that one, and hopefully, that's a shot in the arm for them.  I'm proud of their fight."

How the game finished wasn't anything like how it started for NSU with the Ichabods opening on a 13-2 run.   NSU trailed by ten midway through the first half before the RiverHawks launched into a run of ten consecutive points, tying the game at 20-20 with 7:51 left. 

The RiverHawks shot 6-for-10 for the rest of the half and took a 38-35 lead at the intermission. 

Both teams exchanged blows in the second half, exchanging the lead four times. Eventually, Washburn would pull away by six, scoring on a second-chance point and getting a bucket on an NSU missed jumper.  

Bailey would be fouled with 50 seconds remaining to get NSU back within four (66-62).  Off a timeout, the RiverHawks fouled to send Washburn to the line, where they missed the front-end of a one-and-one opportunity.  Emeka Obukwelu grabbed to rebound, leading to Bailey hitting a three-pointer with 31 seconds to go making it a 68-67 game.   

Both teams traded a pair of free throws before the Washburn missed its first of two at the line with 14 seconds left.  Bailey connected on a jumper while being fouled on the ensuing procession to lead to NSU's late comeback. 

All five of NSU's starters were in double-figures, with Rashad Perkins having 13 points and seven assists.  Bailey, Christian Cook, and Tylor Arnold all had 12.  Obukwelu led the team with seven rebounds and had ten points.   Jaxon Jones scored nine off the bench. 

Washburn came in winners of seven of their last eight and fell to 13-8 (10-5 MIAA).  

The RiverHawks improve to 11-11 (6-10 MIAA) and will be on the road next week, visiting Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday.