TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Ethan Blackmon recorded his fifth double-double of the season and powered Northeastern State past Fort Hays State, 66-64, on Thursday evening inside the NSU Event Center.

Blackmon finished with a game-high 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for his third 20-point performance of the season. The junior went 8-of-12 from the field and hit 7-of-11 at the line, including the game-sealing free throw with 15 seconds remaining.

The win marks a breakthrough for the RiverHawks (12-9, 5-7 MIAA), who snapped an eight-game skid to the Tigers (15-7, 7-6 MIAA). It also gives NSU its tenth home victory of the season — the first time the program has reached that mark in five years.

Northeastern State led 32-28 at the break and extended its advantage to as many as 14 points in the second half. The Tigers, who entered the night receiving votes in the latest NABC Division II Top 25 Poll, clawed back to within one possession in the final seconds, but a critical rebound by Blackmon helped seal the win.

The RiverHawks had four players score in double figures, with A.J. Reed Jr., Nehemiah Weber, and Xavier Glenn each adding 10 points. NSU held a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Fort Hays 16-9 off turnovers.

"Beating Fort Hays is not easy, and I'm really proud of our fight and sticking with it," said head coach Ja Havens. "We kind of rode the wave there late. Basket got a little small on us, missed a couple of open looks, got a layup that didn't go down, but we stayed in the fight, made enough plays, and had the ball bounce right for us one time there at the end, and so I'm really happy for our guys, and that's a good win."

Northeastern State returns to the NSU Event Center on Saturday afternoon to host Nebraska-Kearney. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.