TAHLEQUAH --
Trey Phipps led Northeastern State with 24 points, but Northeastern State fell to Newman in an 85-66 decision Thursday night at the NSU Event Center.
Phipps knocked down eight field goals alongside four triples and four free throws in the effort.
Jaxon Jones added a season-high 19 points, but the duo's effort was not enough to overcome the onslaught from a Newman (5-2, 1-0 MIAA) offense that shot 31-of-55 (56.4%) from the floor.
After an evenly-contested opening eight minutes, which saw the teams battle to an even 13-13 result, the Jets stormed to an 11-0 run and held the RiverHawks (5-4, 1-1 MIAA) without a basket for over five minutes. NSU would struggle to recover, taking an eight-point deficit (42-34) to the half before a -11 second half secured the defeat.
The loss halts a three-game winning streak and gives the team their first home loss of the campaign.
Northeastern State returns to the floor with a return trip to Memphis to battle Christian Brothers on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
