FORT SMITH, Ark. – Northeastern State stunned No. 11 Arkansas-Fort Smith on their home floor Friday night, snapping the Lions' perfect home record with a 71-63 upset at the Stubblefield Center.

Taven Washington led the RiverHawks with 15 points, while AJ Reed Jr. added 14 and Xavier Glenn chipped in 11 before fouling out late. Northeastern State (10-6, 3-4 MIAA) has now won four of its last five games against the nationally ranked Lions and continues to be a thorn in UAFS's side.

More importantly, the RiverHawks' defense showed up in a big way, holding Fort Smith (13-3, 4-3) to a season-low 33.3% shooting from the field (20-of-60). The Lions managed just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc and were outscored 44-29 in the second half.

The Lions jumped out to a 34-27 halftime lead, but Northeastern State exploded in the second half with 16 fast-break points and 20 from the bench. Ethan Blackmon pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, and the RiverHawks won the battle on the glass 39-36.

Brandon Scott led Fort Smith with 21 points, but needed 17 shots to get there. The Lions, who entered the night unbeaten at home, led by as many as 10 before NSU surged ahead with a 18-5 second-half run.

"I think we're a really difficult team to guard, and if you can be that, then be good on the defensive end, limit the other team, you're gonna be in games, and be really difficult to beat, don't beat yourself," said head coach Ja Havens following the road win.  "Hopefully, our best basketball is in front of us, and hopefully, this week, or the last two games, in particular, give us some confidence that you can go play good people, you can go play in hostile environments, and get the job done, so we need to build on it.

The RiverHawks will look to keep rolling Thursday night when they return home to host Emporia State at 7:30 p.m. in Tahlequah.