MAGNOLIA, Ark. -- Northeastern State opened MIAA/GAC play Saturday with a 5-2 loss to No. 46 Southern Arkansas at the Live Oak Tennis Courts in Magnolia, Arkansas.

The RiverHawks (3-5, 0-1 MIAA/GAC) secured the doubles point to start the match. James Edley and Luis Denda picked up a 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles, while Ko Osuga and Tomas Aramburu clinched the point with a 6-3 victory at No. 3.

Southern Arkansas (7-4, 2-0 MIAA/GAC) responded in singles play, winning five of six matches to secure the team victory. Mansur Khajimuradov recorded the lone singles win for NSU at No. 3, rallying from a first-set loss to defeat Balsa Djokovic 5-7, 7-6, 10-3 in a three-set battle.

The match featured several tightly contested sets throughout the lineup, with nine sets decided by 7-5 or 7-6 scores, including a pair of tiebreaks. James Edley also pushed his No. 1 singles match to three sets before falling 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Alexander Edley narrowly dropped both sets at No. 2 singles by 7-5 and 7-6 scores, while Manuel Brunengo and Baptiste Linet each battled through competitive sets in the lower half of the lineup.

"That was tough to lose, especially after we played our best doubles of the year," said head coach Tim McLane.  "Every court was close the whole time, but that was a big-time learning experience for a group that hasn't ever been in that type of match and situation. We played well and had good energy, but we have to do a better job of consolidating breaks and protecting our own serve games."

Northeastern State will continue conference play next Saturday when the RiverHawks travel to face Harding on March 21.