TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The Northeastern State University women’s basketball team lost its second straight game to start the season as the RiverHawks fell to 0-2 after a 75-65 loss to Drury College on Monday evening at Weiser Gym in Springfield, Mo.

Jasmine Webb and Kendra Dean led the RiverHawks with 18 points and 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to negate the 42 combined points between Drury’s Lindsay Ballweg (18 points), Caitlin Shouse (12) and Ja”Neil Jones (12).

The RiverHawks jumped out to an early lead as Cristy Nitz’s 3-pointer with 9:19 left in the first half gave the RiverHawks an 18-12 lead.

But Drury came back with a 13-0 run as Jones’ fastbreak layup with 6:22 left gave Drury a 25-18 lead. The RiverHawks eventually trailed at halftime, 39-33.

Drury then jumped out to a 45-34 lead before Dean and Webb both brought the RiverHawks to within six points, 45-39.

The RiverHawks eventually cut the lead down to one point after Jessica White’s layup with 13:34 left made the score 48-47, Drury.

The RiverHawks had a chance to take its first lead since early in the first half when Dean had two free throw opportunities with 12:29 left, but she made just 1-of-2, to tie the game at 48.

The RiverHawks tied the game once more at 50, but just couldn’t get over the hill.

Drury went on a 14-2 run after that to stretch its lead out to 12 points.

The RiverHawks made one more run at Drury as twice the RiverHawks cut the deficit down to seven points, but couldn’t get any closer than that.

Down 70-63 with just under three minutes to play, the RiverHawks had a chance to cut further into the lead but a 3-pointer by Lindsey Sams missed with 2:58 to go. Dean then gave up a foul with 2:36 left. Two free throws later, the RiverHawks were down by nine.

Other scorers for the RiverHawks were Nitz with eight points, Alix Perkins with seven points, White and Jasmine Wright both with four points, Sarah Millar with three points and Montric Santee and Erin Jent both with two points.

The RiverHawks next play on Wednesday at Jack Dobbins Fieldhouse against St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s is 2-0 after opening the season with wins over Angelo State, 79-59, and Tarleton State, 69-68. Game time is set for 6 p.m.