WICHITA, Kan. -- Northeastern State came out swinging Thursday night, opening the game on a 12–0 run, but could not hold off Newman in an 81-71 loss at Fugate Gymnasium.

The RiverHawks (5-4, 0-2 MIAA) hit five of their first six shots and forced a Newman timeout just 3:35 into the contest after back-to-back threes from Taven Washington and a pair of early layups by Nehemiah Weber fueled the fast start. Northeastern State led 12–0 and held the Jets scoreless for the opening 3:39 before Newman gradually chipped away.

Despite the early burst, NSU's momentum was undone by 21 turnovers, the program's most in a game since Dec. 18, 2021. The mistakes proved costly as Newman (4-3, 1-0) turned giveaways into 20 points and used a trio of double-digit scorers—led by Thatcher McClure's 20 points—to surge ahead in the second half.

Weber led the RiverHawks with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Washington and Ethan Blackmon each added 15. Xavier Glenn chipped in 11 points before fouling out late, and Dylan Tea provided five points off the bench, including a key first-half three that temporarily steadied NSU.

Northeastern State shot a respectable 49.1% from the field and posted 21 assists, but Newman countered by hitting 12 3-pointers and receiving 55 bench points. The Jets outscored NSU 45-36 after halftime to pull away.

Despite the loss, the RiverHawks matched Newman on the glass (31-31) and produced 34 points in the paint, but the turnover margin and three-point differential proved decisive.

Northeastern State now enters an extended break and will return home on Dec. 14 to host Truman State inside the NSU Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.