TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State fell victim to a 17-3 scoring run from No. 20 Southern Nazarene, putting their first opportunity at a ranked win on the season out of reach in a 91-71 loss Friday night.

NSU (3-1) would score five of the game's first nine points across the opening three minutes, but SNU (4-0) would respond with a 12-1 run as Northeastern would not convert on a field goal attempt for nearly six straight minutes in the game's first eight.

The Crimson Storm would lead the rest of the way, though the hosts would bring the game back within a point on two occasions in the second half. However, NSU's lone made field goal in the last 6:54 would occur with 1:15 remaining, which allowed the Crimson Storm a window to score 14 straight points.

Xavier Glenn would lead NSU in scoring with 18 points, while AJ Reed would have a team-high four assists with 12 points in the defeat. In his season debut, Ethan Blackmon would fall two rebounds shy of a double-double with ten points against eight boards.

Northeastern State returns to the court on Monday to face Ecclesia at the NSU Event Center at 6 p.m.