Schreiner University's mens' basketball team squandered a second-half lead and fell in the final 12 seconds against Whitman University in Spokane, Wash. on Saturday night, 78-75.
The close loss has become a norm for the Mountaineers, who have lost five consecutive games to Division III opponents. Schreiner is 1-5 in games, decided by less than 10 points.
The other concerning trend for the Mountaineers is 3-point shooting, and Whitman hit 15 on Saturday compared to Schreiner's six. The Mountaineers were 6-of-21 from 3-point range and have only hit 29.9% of their shots from beyond the arc. The Mountaineers have hit 28 3-pointers in their last five games — just 25%. Schreiner's opponents are shooting 34% from 3-point range.
It was a 3-pointer that turned the tide for Whitman. With 12 seconds left, Xzavier Lino knocked down a three to give Whitman its first lead since 8:24 in the first half.
Schreiner had a lead as big as 15 points midway through the second half but couldn't hold off Whitman down the stretch. Bronson Evans came off the bench to play 24 minutes and score 15 points. Senior guard Alex DeHoyos scored 15 points. Dylan Mackey came off the bench to score a season-high 10 points. Kamden Ross scored 10, and Darrian Gibson added 11.
Schreiner is now off until Dec. 31 when they visit St. Thomas in Houston for a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup. The Mountaineers face a road trip to Colorado College on Jan. 2 for a SCAC matchup. Schreiner faces a game at Southwestern on Jan. 7 before returning home for another matchup against the Pirates on Jan. 8.