TAHLEQUAH -- NSU men's basketball plays its third game in four days as it opens MIAA play this week, hosting Arkansas–Fort Smith on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for Salute to Service Night. Free admission will be available for all veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and 911 dispatchers.

After facing the Lions, the RiverHawks head to Wichita to take on Newman Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in their final game before finals week.

NSU enters at 5-2 and will look to secure its sixth home win in seven tries—something the program hasn't achieved since the 2013–14 season. Xavier Glenn leads the RiverHawks with 17.9 points per game and erupted for 31 points in their last official contest against Mississippi College.

A Quick Look Back
Playing for the second straight day, Northeastern State outscored Missouri State in the second half but fell 92-71 in Sunday's exhibition at Great Southern Bank Arena.

Since the matchup only counted for Missouri State, NSU used the afternoon to test its depth and tempo ahead of MIAA play. The RiverHawks trailed 60-33 at halftime but regrouped, shooting 55% in the second half and outscoring the Bears by six over the final 20 minutes.

Ethan Blackmon led NSU with 14 points and six rebounds on 7-of-14 shooting. AJ Reed followed with 12 points, three assists, and three steals. Xavier Glenn added eight points, including a pair of early second-half buckets that fueled an NSU surge. The RiverHawks' bench contributed 26 points, with Dalen Fuller, Pierce Ross, and Sage Wayans scoring five apiece.

About Arkansas–Fort Smith
The Lions (5-0) enter undefeated, outscoring opponents by an average of 28.0 points per game. Their latest outing was a tight 95-92 win over Henderson State. Senior guard Christian Moore posted a season-high 23 points and added five assists, extending his team-leading season total to 23.

Series notes: NSU has won the last three meetings, including an 82-69 victory in Tahlequah. The RiverHawks lead the all-time series 4-3 and are 3-1 against the Lions in conference play.

About Newman
The Jets (3-3) open MIAA play Thursday and are seeking their first home win over an NCAA opponent this season. Newman and NSU share a common foe in Arkansas Tech—the Jets defeated them 95-87 in Joplin, while NSU fell 65-60. Brandon Wilson leads Newman with just over 12 points per game but was limited to 13 minutes in their last outing against Oklahoma Baptist.

Series notes: NSU leads the series 12-6, though Newman holds a 5-3 edge at home. Last season, the Jets swept the home-and-home series for the first time.

Up Next
NSU will be idle until December 14, when the RiverHawks host Truman State at 1 p.m.