TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Kiani Saxon's go-ahead layup with seven seconds left was the difference, as Missouri Western men's basketball (17-11, 8-9 MIAA) topped Northeastern State, 83-81, on Saturday afternoon at the NSU Event Center in Tahlequah.

Saxon was one of five Griffons in double figures, as he finished with a season-high 14 points and a career-high five assists. Zane Nelson capped off a spectacular week with a team-best 24 points and a team-best in rebounds (6), assists (8) and steals (4).

Missouri Western came ready to play, racing out to a 10-2 start in the first two minutes. Northeastern (14-12, 8-9 MIAA) answered back with an 11-2 run and led 29-22 with 7:35 left in the first half.

The Griffons never trailed by more than that, and pulled it to within 37-35 by halftime. The second  half was air tight throughout, with both teams trading the lead and big baskets.

Saturday's game featured 13 ties and 12 lead changes in all.

Trailing 65-60 with 9 minutes to go, the Griffons tied it at 72-72 with 4:59 to go off of a three-pointer by Ethan Kilgore. MWSU retook the lead three different times in the final minute. After NSU tied it, 81-81, at the free throw line with 16 seconds left, Saxon's go-ahead came off a pass from Nelson, as Saxon charged down the lane and laid the ball up right by the rim.

Northeastern State still had seven seconds to work with, and Taven Washington had a strong look at a buzzer beater for the win from the right corner, but it was off the rim as the buzzer sounded.

Zion Swader came up big with 11 second half points, finishing with 13 to go with five assists and five rebounds. Kilgore ended up with 12 points and three boards. Justin Bubak, who had a key layup in the final 30 seconds, had 11 points as well on 2-for-2 shooting from long range.

Safe to say, the Griffons had a great day offensively, shooting 53.3% (32-of-60) and 9-of-22 (40.9%) from three. The Riverhawks were just as impressive from the field, hitting 31-of-55 (56.4%) overall and 5-of-15 (33.3%) from beyond the arc.

The Griffons outrebounded NSU 32-26, including 11-5 on the offensive glass. MWSU doled out 22 assists - the most they've had against an NCAA Division II opponent this season. 

Missouri Western stays on the road this Wednesday to battle Emporia State (9-17, 6-11 MIAA). Tip-off from the White Auditorium in Emporia is set for 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).