THE LEAD
Behind a season-high 26-point performance from redshirt-senior Myles Johnson, the DBU Men's Basketball team defeated Northeastern State 80-65 on Tuesday at the NSU Event Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  On a night in which the Patriots led for the entire 40 minutes, Johnson matched a career-high with seven made three-pointers.  Joining Johnson in double-figures were Boy Van Vliet and Patrick Burke, who scored 16 and 12 points respectively. 
 
Despite a sluggish start from both teams that saw the game remain scoreless through the first four minutes, DBU opened up a 7-0 lead and eventually carried a 30-20 advantage into the locker room at the half. 
 
In the second half, the Patriots remained in control, as they kept a double-digit lead until the Riverhawks pulled to within eight points with 9:40 to play.  A layup by Johnson though pushed the DBU lead back to 10 points, as the Patriots pulled away, eventually leading by as many as 23, before closing out a 15-point win.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Tonight's game marked the first time DBU and Northeastern State have met.
- With the win, the Patriots have won back-to-back games for the first time this year.
- Myles Johnson has now scored 20 or more points 27 times during his four-year career.
 
DBU HEAD COACH BLAKE FLICKNER ON THE KEYS TO TONIGHT'S WIN
"We had a great team defensive effort tonight.  The guys were really locked into the game plan.  Patrick Burke carried us offensively during the first half and then it was exciting to see Boy and Myles break free offensively in the second half.  They are a very good defensive team who can really make things challenging.  Our bench also provided us with a great spark tonight and Julian Miranda made a couple of great defensive plays."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 – Five of Myles Johnson's seven three-pointers came during the second half.
42 – DBU shot 42 percent from three-point range (10-for-24).
28 - The Patriots scored 28 points off turnovers.
 
UP NEXT
DBU travels to Odessa, Texas, on Saturday to face former Heartland Conference foe Texas-Permian Basin.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.