From NSU Sports Information
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northeastern State men’s basketball team defeated Missouri Southern State 73-54 Saturday afternoon inside Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The RiverHawks (14-4, 7-3 MIAA) won their fourth-straight contest, while the Lions (9-8, 4-5 MIAA) were held to their season low in points and lost their third in a row.
Northeastern State snapped a three-game losing skid to Missouri Southern State, and the green and white earned its first win over MSSU in Joplin since Dec. 7, 2004.
Senior forward Jermaine Bransford recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Junior guard Bryton Hobbs and junior forward Marcus Sheppard scored 12 points each, and sophomore forward Landon DeMasters added 10.
The RiverHawks shot 50 percent (28-for-56) from the field, 35 percent (7-for-20) from downtown and 67 percent (10-for-15) at the charity stripe.
Missouri Southern State was held to just 31 percent (16-for-52) shooting from the field, eight percent (1-for-12) from distance and 72 percent (21-for-29) at the line.
Jordan Talbert led the Lions with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Cameron Cornelius added 14 points off the bench.
NSU never trailed after being down 2-0. The road team used a 10-0 run early in the contest to jump on top 15-5, and the RiverHawks found themselves with a 31-21 lead at the half.
The Lions got to within 11 points on two occasions in the second half, but the home side could not get any closer.
Marquis Addison entered the game averaging 20.6 points per game during MIAA play, and he was held to a season-low nine points on 2-of-12 shooting.
The RiverHawks will next face Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo., at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31.
Cedrique Flemming is the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Northeastern State University.