EMPORIA, Kan. -- Northeastern State outlasted Emporia State on Thursday night, using a strong defensive effort and clutch free throws in the fourth quarter to secure a 61-56 road victory at White Auditorium.

The RiverHawks (8-9, 4-4 MIAA) leaned on senior Alex Hill, who scored a team-high 15 points, including 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.  She iced the game with two seconds remaining to score her 1,000th overall collegiate point.  Deyanna Douglas provided a strong presence inside with 12 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Emily Weathers chipped in eight points and seven boards.

Northeastern State controlled most of the second half but Emporia State made one final push in the fourth quarter.  The Lady Hornets used a 9-3 run to pull even a 56-56 with just under two minutes remaining in regulation.  Aubrey Brown stopped the bleeding for NSU and responded with a three-point make ending five consecutive misses from the field.  Emporia State couldn't find an equalizer and with five seconds remaining Hill grabbed a clutch defensive rebound to force ESU to put her at the free-throw line.

From the field, NSU shot 19-for-60 and was out rebounded by two with 44.  Annaston Brown was tied for the team-high with seven rebounds, and Courtney Lee had six.

Elizabeth Tjaden led Emporia State (7-11, 2-7 MIAA) with 12 points and four assists, while Janiyah Alvarez posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Hornets' struggles from beyond the arc (4-of-26) and inability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities doomed their comeback effort.

With the victory, Northeastern State improved to .500 in league play and will look to build on the momentum in their next matchup at Newman on Saturday.