TAHLEQUAH – An 11-4 run over the final 2:16 gave Emporia State a 73-65 victory over Northeastern State Thursday evening at the NSU Event Center.
The RiverHawks (7-13, 2-12 MIAA) took a stellar first half in shooting with 13-of-23 (56.5%) striking for the offensive side. A hot-and-cold opening for the Hornets led to a 12-of-30 (40.0%) clip and an unfavorable four-point margin (36-32) at intermission.
The second half was more kind to the Hornets, as ESU made ten free throws and shot at 50.0% (14-of-28). After banking through six treys in the first half, NSU only could skate one through the hoop in the second. ESU also claimed a +8 in rebounding in the second.
NSU fought back from a ten-point margin (51-41) with 12:12 left to hold a one-point difference (62-61) with 2:16 to go. The Hornets responded with a big scoring run to finish, while holding the RiverHawks to four points the rest of the way while making use of three NSU turnovers to limit the host's offensive efforts.
Ethan Blackmon and
Trey Quartlebaum led the RiverHawks, scoring 14 points.
Jaxon Jones scored 11 with seven rebounds, while
Anthony Allen scored 11, too.
Northeastern State battles with Washburn on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the NSU Event Center.
