TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State couldn't overcome a tough defensive effort from Central Missouri, falling 65-56 Thursday night at the NSU Event Center.

The RiverHawks (13-10, 7-7 MIAA) struggled to find offensive rhythm early, trailing 29-22 at halftime. Despite a stronger second-half effort, NSU couldn't close the gap as the Mules (12-11, 7-7 MIAA) held them to 38.8% shooting from the field.

Trey Phipps led all NSU scorers with 21 points, the fifth-year senior scored his 1,000 career point early in the game. Ethan Blackmon recorded his sixth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Bryson Smith added 10 points and four assists.

Central Missouri's Josh Nwankwo powered the Mules with 24 points and eight rebounds, shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Kyran Tilley added 14 points, and DeAirius Barker contributed nine points and three assists.

The RiverHawks trailed by as many as 11 in the first half but cut the deficit to 38-35 early in the second. However, UCM responded with an 11-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from Tilley, to push its lead back to double digits. The Mules sealed the game at the free-throw line, hitting 6-of-8 in the final minute.

Despite outrebounding UCM 34-31 and scoring 22 points in the paint, NSU struggled to generate second-chance opportunities with only six offensive rebounds. The Mules capitalized on NSU's 12 turnovers, converting them into 13 points.

The RiverHawks return to action Saturday, hosting Washburn at the NSU Event Center.