RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- Northeastern State struggled through one of its coldest shooting nights in nearly two years, falling to Arkansas Tech 65-60 on Wednesday as the Wonder Boys used a decisive second-half run to turn back the RiverHawks.

Arkansas Tech seized control with a 15–2 surge after halftime, capitalizing on NSU's extended scoring droughts and defensive miscues. The RiverHawks finished with their lowest shooting percentage (36.2 percent) against an NCAA Division II opponent since the 2022–23 season.

Junior forward Ethan Blackmon was a bright spot despite the loss, matching his career high with 14 rebounds and recording his eighth career double-double. His presence on the glass helped limit second-chance opportunities for the Wonder Boys.

Taven Washington led Northeastern State with 14 points, providing needed scoring in both halves, while Dalen Fuller added 10 in a complementary role. But the RiverHawks' offensive production remained sporadic, and Arkansas Tech's second-half run created a gap NSU could not overcome.  Northeastern State carried a 38-32 lead into the half, but they would go 8-for-28 in the final 20 minutes, missing all eight opportunities from the arc.  The RiverHawks ran out of time as they used a run of eight unanswered points to get within two in the closing seconds. 

The RiverHawks (4-2) move on to host Mississippi College at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Tahlequah for the program's annual Nike N7 game, an event honoring Native American and Indigenous communities.