Courtesy NSU
TAHLEQUAH, ----- Northeastern State’s Jason Jones tied a career high with 23 points and 11 rebounds as the RiverHawks dropped a 69-60 decision to Southwestern Oklahoma State in the Lone Star Conference North Division opener for both schools at Jack Dobbins Field House here Wednesday evening.
The Bulldogs (10-6, 1-0) relied on the sharp shooting of Kenneth White who finished with a game high 30 points. In a back and forth game for much of the first half that saw seven lead changes and five ties, a White jumper with 30 seconds remaining in the first half gave SWOSU a 33-32 lead at the break. The RiverHawks hit 12-28 in the half for 42.9 percent and was just 3-12 from behind the arc. The Bulldogs hit 12-27 for 44 percent and was 4-11 from behind the arc.
SWOSU widened the advantage using a 6-2 run to open the second half and lead 39-34. The RiverHawks responded with a 7-2 of its own to tie the game at 41-41 with 13:12 to play.
The Bulldogs took the lead for good on the next possession as White’s jumper gave SWOSU a 43-41 lead. NSU kept the game close, cutting the deficit to a single point at 55-54 on a Rovenstine trey, but SWOSU was too much down the stretch hitting 6-6 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to seal the 69-60 victory.
Behind Jones, Ricky Branham and Marlon Burnett chipped in nine points apiece, Ja’Mal Stewart added seven while Aaron Arango and Rovenstine finished with six points.
Northeastern State will hit the road this weekend for a LSC-North tilt with Texas A&M-Commerce.; Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Commerce Field House.
