The Hawks led most of the game until late in the second half when Southwestern capitalized on a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining.
Steve Wooten led Northeast in scoring with 21 points. Jeremiah Codden had 12; Julius Sakinis, 11; Allen Anderson, ten; and Melkisedek Moreaux, eight.
The Hawks (13-12) will host Southeastern Community College on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus.
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