A last second three-point attempt at the buzzer fell off the mark as Northwest Missouri State fell for the second straight night 68-66 to Harding University in men’s basketball action at the Hawaii Classic.

The Bearcats fell to 8-2 dropping their second straight game after eight straight wins to start the season. Harding improved to 7-2 on the year as the Bisons snapped a two game skid.

DeAngelo Hailey was fouled with three seconds left on a put-back of a Dillon Starzl jumper that fell off the rim. Hailey missed the first free-throw as he also missed his second attempt intentionally to give the Bearcats the rebound.

A final second three-point shot from Matt Wallace missed the mark as the Bisons handed the Bearcats their second loss in two nights.

Harding led by as many as 14 points in the first half and took a 46-37 lead into intermission.

Hailey twice pulled the Bearcats within two points in the second half. Northwest inched as close as 67-66 with just 16 seconds after a Hailey jumper and were then forced to foul as Harding hit one free-throw pushing the final score to 68-66. The senior from Detroit kept the Bearcats close in the second half leading all players with 24 points and adding eight rebounds.

The Bearcats forced 20 Harding turnovers and recorded eight steals, however a cold night from the field gave the Bisons the narrow victory. Northwest shot just 28 percent in the second half as Harding hit 13 three-pointers in the game.

Northwest will enjoy a two-week Christmas break before returning to league play. A Jan. 3 matchup at Missouri Southern followed by a nationally televised game at Pittsburg State on Jan. 5 will kick off 2013 for the Bearcats.

— NWMSU Sports Information —