TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State started the home schedule on the winning side with a 70-68 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday.
After falling behind 32-22 with 3:47 left in the second quarter, NSU (2-1) stormed back to finish the half on an 11-0 run, highlighted by a buzzer-beating basket by
Gabrielle Tilley to conclude a two-second drive down the floor after a long inbound pass from
Reese Shirey and an assist from midcourt by
Emily O'Brien.
Entering the second half with a 33-32 lead, the RiverHawks engaged in a back-and-forth battle with SWOSU (1-1) the rest of the way. After an efficient third period for the Lady Bulldogs, who connected on 9-of-14 (64.3%) tries in the frame, NSU's defense stood tall by limiting the visitors to 3-of-16 (18.8%) shooting in the fourth and off the board entirely in the last 3:41.
During that span, NSU scored the game's last seven points, with the go-ahead basket happening with 52 seconds left on a tip-in from
Deyanna Douglas.
Douglas had 11 points and was one of four NSU players in double figures.
McKenzie Smith led with 16 points, including two treys, while Tilley and Shirey added 11 alongside Douglas.
Laynee Stanley had seven rebounds to lead the RiverHawks on the glass, while Tilley paced NSU in the passing lanes with five assists. The RiverHawks overcame 26 turnovers in the win, the team's highest total of lost possessions in a victory since Feb. 1, 2025.
NSU concludes the MIAA/GAC Challenge on Saturday with a 5:30 start against Oklahoma Baptist.
