JOPLIN, Mo. -- A cold spell and a long-range drought proved costly for Northeastern State in a 77-64 road loss to Missouri Southern on Saturday at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The RiverHawks (11-9, 4-7 MIAA) trailed 43-36 at halftime but were still within striking distance before hitting an offensive wall. NSU went nearly eight minutes without a field goal, spanning the end of the first half into the second, and the Lions (11-8, 5-5) capitalized with a 17-6 run that cracked the game open.

Ethan Blackmon led NSU with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, continuing his efficient run. AJ Reed Jr. added 14, while Nehemiah Weber chipped in 11. But the RiverHawks couldn't buy a bucket from deep — shooting just 4-of-21 from three and going 0-for-8 in the second half.

Missouri Southern didn't light it up from downtown either (2-of-19), but they dominated inside with 44 points in the paint and a 33-25 edge on the boards. Colin Ruffin paced the Lions with 19 points and five steals, helping them pull away late.

Turnovers didn't help NSU's cause either — 16 giveaways led to 14 points for the Lions, who also got 38 points from their bench.

Northeastern State returns to the Event Center in Tahlequah on Thursday night for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off against Fort Hays State, looking to regroup and rebound.