Kyle Johnson's 3-point attempt from the top of the key with three seconds remaining in the game bounced off the right side of the rim, just inches away from sinking through the net and taking down the eighth-ranked team in the country with it.

That's how close the USF men's basketball team came from upsetting the 2008-09 preseason conference favorite Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Tuesday night at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

Instead, the Tigers held on for an 85-83 victory as point guard Mitch Bain hauled in the rebound to secure the win as time expired.

The Cougars certainly had their chances in what was the conference opener for both teams. USF let a 13 point first-half lead slip by the wayside, in addition to missing three free throws in the final minute of a wild contest.

The Cougars (5-4, 0-1 GPAC) have not defeated the Tigers (8-2, 0-1 GPAC) at the Corn Palace since Nov. 22, 2005, a 74-57 decision.

Johnson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) led the Cougars, scoring 16 points off the bench. Matt Malloy (Parkston, S.D.) added 15, while Thomas Frames (Los Angeles, Ca.) and Gerad Van Leur (Emery, S.D.) each poured in 11.

Brady Wiebe had a spectacular night for the Tigers, as he recorded 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Colby Fitzgerald added 14, while Scott Nelson and Mitch Bain each poured in 13.

The Cougars trailed by one, 15-14, at the 13:01 mark of the first half. Over the next 6:36, they outscored the Tigers 18-5, grabbing their largest lead of the game, at 32-19.

During that stretch, senior guard Adam Herther (Sioux Falls, S.D.) nailed his only three shots of the game, all three-pointers. For the remainder of the half, the Tigers slowly cut down the deficit, and found themselves going to the locker down seven, at 41-34.

It appeared as if the Cougars would have no trouble winning this one, as they pushed their lead back up to 10, 57-47, with only 15:23 remaining. It would not last, though, as Nelson hit two free-throws with 7:46 to play, capping off a 23-11 Tiger burst, giving them their first lead since 15-14, at 70-68. With 2:50 remaining, they pushed their lead up to six, as Ike Muoneke sunk a pair of free-throws, making it 82-76.

It was a valiant effort for the Cougars the rest of the way, as they kept the game within reach. Johnson's straightaway look to end the game was the Cougars' last hope.

It was a good shooting night for both teams, as the Cougars were 32-72 on the night (44.4 percent), and 12-17 from the free-throw line, while the Tigers shot 51.8 percent from the field, and 23-29 (79.3 percent) from the charity stripe.

Next up for the Cougars is a trip to River Falls, Wis., to face NCAA Division III Wisconsin-River Falls. Tip-off is ready for Saturday, Nov. 29, at 3:00 p.m.