TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- The Northeastern State University men's basketball team scored 22 of the game's final 24 points to rally from a 15-point deficit and claim a 71-66 victory over Pittsburg State University Thursday (Jan. 30).

The Gorillas (10-9, 6-4 MIAA) led 64-49 following a pair of free throws by Johannes Kirsipuu with 8:08 to play in the game, but the RiverHawks (12-7, 6-4 MIAA) rattled off 11 straight points to trim the margin to four, 64-60, with 4:37 to go. Pitt State's Avery Taggart scored 25 seconds later to extend the Gorillas margin to six, 66-60, but the Gorillas failed to score again as NSU closed out the contest on another 11-0 run.

Kirsipuu scored a career high 21 points in the loss for Pitt State, making eight of 11 shots from the field. Tanner Manns added 14 points while Taggart and Tane Prictor chipped in with 11 points apiece.

Trey Phipps and Ethan Blackmon scored 22 points apiece to pace the RiverHawks. Bryson Smith added 15 points for NSU, which shot 52 percent from the field in the second half and converted 17 of 18 free throw attempts in the final 20 minutes of play.

Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Feb. 1) with a road game against the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.