JOPLIN, Mo. -- Northeastern State edged Missouri Southern in a closely contested Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) game on Tuesday night, clinching an 81-79 victory at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The RiverHawks (7-4, 2-1 MIAA) leaned on their offensive firepower to overcome a balanced Lions attack, winning consecutive games in Joplin for the first time. Ethan Blackmon led the charge for Northeastern State, posting a double-double with a career-best 29 points and 11 rebounds.

Trey Phipps added 16 points and three steals for the RiverHawks, while Bryson Smith dished out a team-high eight assists to go along with his 12 points.

Northeastern State set the tone early, racing to a 43-36 lead by halftime. They controlled the paint, outscoring Missouri Southern 46-40 in the interior. 

In the second half, Missouri Southern came storming back and used an 18-7 run to overtake the RiverHawks 54-52 following a dunk by Thompson with 12:39 left.  The Lions maintained the advantage until the final four minutes of the contest where five critical turnovers allowed for a 12-2 run that flipped the game back in favor of the RiverHawks.

The RiverHawks were limited to one made three-pointer in the second half and shot 51.7 percent (30-58) from the field.  Southern matched NSU with 58 possessions but made two fewer baskets.  

Missouri Southern's (5-6, 1-2 MIAA) offensive effort was spearheaded by Martin Macenis, who notched a team-high 20 points and nine assists. Tyrique Brooks contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, while Jaden Taylor and Sam Thompson each added 10 points off the bench.

Northeastern State will head into the holiday break winners of five of their last six games and will return to action on Jan. 2 where they will see Ozark Christian for their final non-conference contest of the season.