TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Missouri Southern men's basketball (7-5, 1-2 MIAA) fell to Northeastern State (8-4, 1-2 MIAA) in a tense 119-117 overtime contest Sunday at the NSU Event Center.
Despite leading at the break, MSSU could not hold off NSU's late surge. Southern recorded 46 points in the paint and capitalized with 21 points off turnovers, but the RiverHawks managed to outscore them in the final moments.
Missouri Southern is now 7-5 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play. NSU now holds an 8-4 overall record with a 1-2 mark in league competition.
Jaden Taylor led the team with 32 points, converting all 10 of his free throw attempts and adding six assists and five rebounds. He shot 11-for-21 from the field Sunday. It marked his third 30-plus game of the season.
Tyrone Wright Jr. scored a career-best 22 points on an 8-for-14 performance. He also successfully made all six of his free throws, and contributed two blocks and seven rebounds.
Brayden Williams posted 18 points, including three 3-pointers, and recorded three steals.
Isaiah Atwater chipped in 12 points while
Gavyn Elkamil had 11.
Colin Ruffin added nine points, hitting two 3-pointers and collecting two steals.
MSSU began the first half by establishing an early lead, highlighted by Taylor's jumper just 17 seconds into play.
Both teams traded leads, but the Lions found success in the paint, scoring 26 points inside and converting on fast breaks with 13 points.
MSSU benefited from bench contributions, adding 20 points from non-starters, and secured a defensive edge with three blocks and three steals.
Isaiah Atwater's jumper at 5:33 helped maintain a slim 41-37 advantage, while
Tane Kirisome's three-pointer at 2:02 regained a 51-49 lead after the RiverHawks briefly pulled ahead. The opening half closed with
Gavyn Elkamil's crucial three-pointer, followed by Taylor's layup in the final 30 seconds, allowing Missouri Southern to hold a narrow 58-54 lead at the end of the first half.
The second half began with Missouri Southern holding a narrow lead, as the Lions quickly capitalized on opportunities.
As the half progressed, the Lions saw contributions from
Daniel Halldorsson, who hit crucial shots, including a 3-pointer at 11:14 (80-76), helping to sustain the lead. Halldorsson finished with eight points Sunday.
Wright Jr. and Taylor led an offensive surge, with Wright Jr. connecting on multiple field goals and free throws, and Taylor adding key points, including a layup at 8:56 that put MSSU ahead 84-82.
The team's defensive efforts, highlighted by steals from Ruffin and Elkamil, managed to disrupt NSU's momentum.
However, in the final moments, Missouri Southern tied the game at 101-101 with a layup from Taylor to force extra basketball.
Overtime opened with Missouri Southern regaining momentum through a 3-pointer by Williams, assisted by Elkamil, which brought the score to 104-101.
The RiverHawks responded quickly, leveling the score at 106-106 with a 3-pointer from Dylan Tea.
Southern maintained pressure with Taylor's free throws and a dunk by Wright Jr., assisted by Ruffin, keeping the game tight at 113-112.
NSU managed a slight lead following a fast-break dunk by Xavier Glenn and a critical 3-pointer.
Missouri Southern fought back, with Elkamil's free throws narrowing the gap.
In the final seconds, Williams delivered a clutch jumper followed by a free throw to tie the game at 117-117. The RiverHawks then sealed the game with a buzzer-beating layup, earning a 119-117 victory.
MSSU next heads to Arkansas Fort Smith on Jan. 3 to open 2026.
