Northeastern State 56, East Central 39

Sunday, September 30th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) _ Damian Everette and Adrien Daniels each scored two rushing touchdowns as Northeastern State beat East Central 56-39 on Saturday in a Lone Star Conference game.

Everette racked up 161 yards on 17 carries, while Daniels rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries.

The Redmen (2-2, 2-1 LSC) trailed the Tigers (1-3, 1-2) throughout the first half.

Mitch McKinnon's 53-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Ray just before halftime made it 19-14 East Central.

McKinnon threw his second touchdown to Mike Justice in the opening minutes of the third quarter to make it 21-19 for the Redmen. McKinnon was 6-of-12 for 92 yards and two interceptions.

Luke Hackbarth answered a few plays later with a 7-yard TD pass to Lionel Wrenn to put the Tigers up 26-21. Hackbarth completed 22-of-32 passes for 231 yards and three TDs.

He also had two interceptions.

Ray returned the ensuing kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown to put NSU up for good.

Gerome Castleberry had 118 yards on 22 carries and a TD for East Central.