The University of Sioux Falls overcame a 10 point deficit in the first half to tie the game up at 62 at the end of regulation and force overtime, but was outscored 15-7 in extra minutes Saturday night in Denver Colo. where they fell to Regis University 77-69.
The two teams kept the game close in the first half where fans saw four ties and two lead changes.
A layup by James Rader, who led USF with nine points in the first half, accounted for the second tie of the period at 12-12 with 11:52 left in the half.
Regis responded and Breen Weeks capped off a Rangers 15-5 run with three of his 18 points in the first half near the nine minute mark, to go up 27-17.
Keith Cutler's jumper right before the break pulled the Cougars within four, making for a 36-32 game at the intermission.
The game continued to stay close in the second half where the Cougars tied the game five times and took over the lead on three different occasions.
USF went ahead by as much as six points with 14:20 to play, but the Rangers found themselves up four with 8:21 to go following a Slobodan Jovanovic layup.
Intensity increased over the final eight minutes of regulation that featured the ninth, tenth and eleventh ties of the game.
The Cougars claimed a one point lead with 1:20 left, but Regis split a pair of free-throws to conclude scoring in regulation and send the game into overtime.
It was all Regis in overtime. The Rangers claimed a quick six point lead after two free-throws by Jon Conley and would not allow the Cougars to come closer than four points in the final two minutes of overtime.
USF was forced to foul and four Regis free-throws ended the game's scoring for a 77-69 final score to give the Rangers their second win of the season.
The Cougars had their second best shooting performance of the season tonight, where they made 27 field goals to 22 by the Rangers at 46.6%, but they lost the battle at the free-throw making 12, while Regis tallied 27 at the line.
Despite the loss, USF also out-rebounded Regis 40-27.
After a big first half, James Rader finished 9-16 from the field to lead USF in scoring for the second consecutive night with a career high 21 points and nine rebounds.
David Maxwell went 2-2 from the line to chip in 11 points and four rebounds for the Cougars.
USF will take a week off before heading to Valley City, N.D. Saturday (Dec. 3) for a matchup with Valley City State University. Tip-off is set for 4p.m.
