TAHLEQUAH -- A back-and-forth contest saw Northeastern State come up short in an 83-81 loss to Missouri Western on Saturday at the NSU Event Center.

The RiverHawks (14-12, 8-9 MIAA) went toe-to-toe with the Griffons (17-11, 8-9 MIAA), trading leads 12 times and seeing the game tied on 13 occasions. 

Ethan Blackmon led NSU with 25 points, shooting 12-of-21 from the field, and added eight rebounds.  Trey Phipps scored 21 points, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, while Bryson Smith contributed 14 points and nine assists.

The RiverHawks shot an efficient 56.4% (31-of-55) from the floor but struggled beyond the arc, making just five three-pointers. Missouri Western countered with nine made threes, including key shots from Zane Nelson, who finished with a team-high 24 points.

Smith tried to will NSU to victory in the final 90 seconds, scoring the RiverHawks' last seven points. With the game tied at 79-79 and 28 seconds remaining, a video review upheld possession for Missouri Western. Justin Bubak capitalized, sinking a layup to put the Griffons ahead.

On NSU's next possession, Smith knocked down two free throws, tying the game for the 13th time. However, Missouri Western had one final opportunity and converted a go-ahead basket with seven seconds left, securing its fifth consecutive win in Tahlequah.

Northeastern State will look to bounce back Wednesday when it visits Rogers State.