Tulsa - Marlon Burnett scored a game-high 22 points to lead Northeastern State to a 61-53 win over Southern Arkansas Tuesday night in Magnolia, Arkansas.

The RiverHawks (2-1) took an early lead and led by as many as eight in the first half before the Muleriders trimmed the lead to four at halftime.

Southern Arkansas (2-1) then scored the first eight points of the second half to lead 34-30. Burnett buried a three-pointer to trim the lead to one and later hit another trey to give the RiverHawks the lead for good, 38-35.

NSU built a 12-point lead with just 3:34 to go and the Muleriders never got closer than six the rest of the way.

The RiverHawks won despite turning the ball over 21 times. NSU held a 36-26 advantage in rebounding and held SAU to just 29-percent shooting in the second half.

Jason Jones added 19 points and was 15-of-17 from the free throw line for Northeastern State. Antoine Branch chipped in ten points.

Sanchez Dade led Southern Arkansas with 15 points.

Northeastern State will return to action against this same Mulerider team next Monday. This time, the game will be in Tahlequah with a 7 p.m. start time.

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