TAHLEQUAH -- A dominant fourth-quarter performance propelled Northeastern State to a thrilling 68-57 victory over Rogers State in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association action Saturday at the NSU Event Center.

The RiverHawks (7-8, 3-3 MIAA) outscored the Hillcats 27-14 in the final frame, erasing a two-point deficit at the start of the quarter. Annaston Brown led the charge with nine points in the fourth, including two three-pointers that ignited the rally and finished the game with 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting.  Alex Hill paced the RiverHawks on the floor with 13 points, and Courtney Lee added ten with a team-high seven rebounds. 

Northeastern State's defense clamped down when it mattered most, forcing six turnovers in the fourth quarter and holding Rogers State (7-8, 1-5 MIAA) to just 6-of-17 shooting from the field. The RiverHawks converted those miscues into 19 points, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor.

After trailing 43-41 entering the fourth, the RiverHawks quickly had the momentum embarking on an 8-0 run on the Hillcats.  Lee put away Rogers State with just her third three-point make of the season with just under three minutes to go.  The Hillcats made just one bucket the rest of the way and missed all six attempts from the arc.

Ella Hafer stood out for Rogers State, leading all scorers with 23 points and adding seven rebounds. The Hillcats struggled from the field shooting 21-for-56 with Hafer making ten buckets. 

The RiveHawks shot 22-for-45 from the field but missed 18 of their 35 free-throw opportunities. On the glass, Rogers State held a 37-to-31 edge and had 11 more possessions thanks to 13 offensive boards. 

With the victory, Northeastern State moves to .500 in conference play and will close out its three-game homestand with Arkansas-Fort Smith on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.