TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State overcame a sluggish shooting night to earn a Saturday evening victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State in a 65-59 final.

The RiverHawks (6-1) struggled to find efficiency on the offensive side early, shooting just 7-of-29 (24.1%) in the first half, missing nine of ten tries from outside the arc in the process. The Savage Storm (3-3) opened the game on a 14-2 run and carried a seven-point lead (30-23) to the half.

NSU's defense would eventually prove taxing on the visitors, with the Savage Storm turning the ball over 11 times in the final two quarters. Southeastern would also fall victim to foul trouble, allowing 20 free throws from the RiverHawks in the second half. Northeastern would convert on their 18 of them, including their last 16. 

The RiverHawks took their first lead of the game with 3:55 to go (54-53) after a pair of Gabrielle Tilley free throws. The Savage Storm would sprint to a quick 3-0 run to retake the lead (56-54) with 2:55 left, but NSU would answer by finishing on an 11-3 burst of offense, highlighted by a go-ahead three-point basket from Snowda Watie with 2:15 remaining.

Northeastern would shoot just 18-of-56 (32.1%) on the evening, marking the third time in the Ferguson era that the RiverHawks earned a win despite making less than a third of their field goal attempts. Factors in the NSU triumph included a +20 differential on free throws made (26-to-6), a +11 on rebounding (40-to-29) and 23 turnovers across the night for the Savage Storm. The RiverHawks also found a significant push from the second unit, scoring 25 points with members outside the starting five.

Reese Shirey and McKenzie Smith tied for the team lead in scoring with 13 points. Both also tied for the team lead in rebounding with seven. Makala Bingley added a team-best three assists and matched Shirey with three steals for the team high. Tilley helped clinch the victory on free throws, shooting 7-of-8 at the charity stripe in a 12-point performance.

Northeastern State opens MIAA play on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the NSU Event Center against Arkansas-Fort Smith.