by TAHLEQUAH — Northeastern State held off a late fourth quarter rally by Lincoln to finish their homestand with a 69-58 win at the NSU Event Center. The RiverHawks (7-6, 3-3 MIAA) surpassed their win total from a season ago and were led by Cenia Hayes (Cherokee) who had 19 points.
Saturday’s win halted a modest two game skid by NSU who keeps Lincoln (3-11) winless in league play through their first six contests; the Blue Tigers were led by junior guard Bre Coleman who had 15 points. Cailyn Long was in double-figures for NSU with 15 points and Lauryn Blevins added 14 off the bench.
After trailing 18-17 following the first quarter, Northeastern State launched run of 16 unanswered points on the Blue Tigers and took a 34-23 lead into the locker room. The momentum continued for the RiverHawks into the second half and they would lead as many as 18 points (46-28) at the 4:27 mark in the third period. However, Northeastern State would go ice cold for nearly over nine minutes and Lincoln tied the game at 51-51 with 5:21 left to eat up their sizable lead. Hayes halted the Blue Tigers’ run with a layup while being fouled to retake the lead for the final time with NSU scoring five straight.
Northeastern State shot 46.3-percent (25-54) on the floor, which was their best outing in the last six contests; Lincoln was 33.3-percent (23-69) on their side of the court. In rebounding, NSU held a slight 41-to-38 edge on the glass with Joi Bertrand and Blevins both having six.
HEAD COACH FALA BULLOCK ON HALTING THE LATE LINCOLN RUN
“Cenia Hayes got us back settled in, Lauryn (Blevins) came in and gave us some good buckets but I have to credit their (Lincoln) post players who outworked ours in the second half. It is good for us to learn how to be in those situations and in the other night we didn’t battle back so it was good to see that we found a little bit more drive to get that done.”
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
7 – Northeastern State held Lincoln scoreless for 7:15 minutes during the second quarter; Long scored seven of NSU’s points during the 16-0 run.
9 – The RiverHawks landed nine three-pointers which was their most in the last nine contests.
12 – Cenia Hayes had 12 of NSU’s 18 points in the opening quarter and was perfect from the field in her first four shots.
UP NEXT
The RiverHawks will be on the road this upcoming Thursday where they will face Washburn at 5:30 p.m.
