By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Fort Hays State started slow and never recovered in a 67-58 loss at Northeastern State on Monday afternoon (Feb. 7). The No. 6/5 ranked Tigers moved to 19-3 overall and 13-3 in the MIAA, while the RiverHawks snapped a five-game losing streak and moved to 5-17 overall and 3-13 in the MIAA.
Down only one after one quarter, the Tigers saw the RiverHawks go on a 14-3 run to open the second quarter to build a 12-point lead. However, the Tigers were able to trim the lead back to seven by halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the difference in the game for the RiverHawks as they kept the Tigers from building any momentum out of the break. NSU went on to outscore the Tigers 24-11 in the third frame to take a sizable 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. FHSU shot just 26.7 percent from the field and 12.5 percent beyond the 3-point line in the quarter, while NSU countered at 52.6 percent overall and 60 percent beyond the arc in the frame.
The Tigers still battled over the final 10 minutes, but the margin was too big to overcome. They scored 11 points off 10 NSU turnovers in the quarter. FHSU cut the lead inside 10 with 4:11 to play, but could never find the finishing surge they needed even though they caused chaos with their full-court pressure. FHSU cut the lead to eight points three times before the final horn and the final margin ended at nine.
Fort Hays State’s 16-game winning streak over Northeastern State came to an end. It was the first win for the RiverHawks over the Tigers since the 2013-14 season. All four of the wins for NSU in the all-time series have been in Oklahoma, three in Tahlequah and one in neutral site play in Alva back in 1982.
The Tigers finished at just 37.5 percent from the floor for the game, while the RiverHawks finished at 48.8 percent. Both teams hit 21 field goals, but NSU made three more 3-point field goals and six more free throws. Second-chance points were a killer for the Tigers as the RiverHawks outscored them 16-9 in that category. The RiverHawks won the intensity battle on the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 38-23 overall.
Olivia Hollenbeck led the Tigers with 12 points, while Jessie Sallach and Jaden Hobbs each finished with 10. Hobbs scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter.
Maleeah Langstaff continued her hot play for the RiverHawks with a team-high 24 points. She has scored 20 or more points in five of the last eight games for NSU. Ashton Hackler added 16 points to give NSU two players in double figures.
The Tigers now have just a half-game lead in the MIAA at 13-3, but have two other teams even with them in the loss column. Both Missouri Southern and Missouri Western are 12-3 in conference play. Nebraska-Kearney is one game back of the Tigers at 12-4.