TAHLEQUAH -- Nehemiah Weber scored the game-winner for Northeastern State in a 119-117 overtime result over Missouri Southern on Sunday evening at the NSU Event Center.

The RiverHawks (8-4, 1-2 MIAA) found themselves in an immediate shootout with the Lions (7-5, 1-2 MIAA), combining for 41 points across the first eight minutes. NSU would score on 19-of-34 (55.9%) tries in the opening half, but MSSU would find themselves in a +5 on made field goals and a +2 on converted triples to take a 58-54 lead to halftime.

The Lions would not claim similar efficiency in the closing half, being held to 40.6% shooting (13-of-32) against NSU's 48.6% (18-of-37) clip. After trailing by seven (63-56) with 17:48 remaining, the RiverHawks would keep the contest within six the rest of the way. NSU would make their move and draw the first lead change of the period with 7:35 left (86-84) after a dunk from Jaxson Vandegarde. The two sides would exchange leads, not finding significant separation heading into the final minute.

Entering the 40th minute of play tied at 95, Ethan Blackmon would connect on a pair of free throws to place the hosts in an advantageous spot (97-95) with 56 seconds remaining. Two more free throws from AJ Reed Jr. would hand NSU a four-point edge (99-95). With the chance to continue in icing the game at the free throw line, NSU would suffer two misses and fall victim to a turnover in the last 27 seconds to leave the window open for the visitors. MSSU would use that opening to force overtime (101-101) behind four made free throws and a game-tying layup from Jaden Taylor.

MSSU would continue their run to start the extra frame, opening with the first five points (106-101). NSU countered with a 9-0 burst (110-106), including five points from Dylan Tea during the run. After two made free throws from MSSU, Northeastern would push the lead back to five (113-108) after a triple from Xavier Glenn with 1:48 left. A fast four unanswered points from the Lions brought the game back to one (113-112), but Glenn would return fire again with a pair of free throws before fouling out after scoring 29 points in 42 minutes of action. 

Absent their top scorer on the night, the RiverHawks would struggle to match MSSU late in their comeback bid, allowing the Lions to tie the game (117-117) off a 5-2 run with seven seconds remaining. On the final possession of overtime, Nehemiah Weber would drive to the basket and catch his initial miss, succeeding on the second chance try and narrowly beating the buzzer in the process to put an end to the night's fireworks in winning fashion. 

The win is NSU's fourth straight against the Lions. Glenn's 29 points were a result of 11-of-21 (52.4%) shooting, while Ethan Blackmon added a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Blackmon's scoring total marked a season high. Reed scored 16 points and led the team in defensive rebounds with eight, while Weber would land 15 points with a team-best six assists and three steals. Tea's first career start would see the freshman log 15 points, his most for the year, while Jaxson Vandegarde joined them in double figures with 10 points.

Northeastern State returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 3 against Pittsburg State at 3:30 p.m. inside the NSU Event Center.