Time after time during one of the most challenging seasons in recent USF men's basketball history, the Cougars have found a way to come from behind to pull off improbable comebacks. They finally ran out of miracles on Wednesday evening; poor shooting by the Cougars in the second half (29 %) helped lift the host College of the Ozarks Bobcats to a 66-58 victory in the opening round of the NAIA Division II tournament. The 32-team, single-elimination tournament is being contested at Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks.

Sophomore David Maxwell led Sioux Falls (24-9) with 19 points and went 7 for 7 from the free throw line. Skyler Bloch recorded the only double-double of the game, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Ronnell Grant contributed nine points and seven boards in his final game as a Cougar. Senior Jacob Sittig added six points on 2-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Senior Kelly Hubbard had five points and tallied six defensive rebounds- but the Cougars squad came up just short.

The first half of the game was close, with seven ties and neither team able to grab a lead of more than four points. The Cougars went into the locker room leading 31-30 at half time.

USF's shooting went ice cold in the second stanza. After shooting 48-percent (12-25) from the field in the first half, the Cougars hit only 10 of 35 shots in the second half (29 percent). USF shot an anemic 11-percent (2-19) from three-point range.

Despite the poor shooting, the Cougars nearly rallied after trailing 57-45 midway through the second half. They went on a 10-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Jacob Sittig and cut the lead to 57-55 with less than three minutes to go. The Bobcats fended off the Cougars' charge though, and responded with a 9-3 run to seal the victory for their home fans.

The Bobcats (22-11) will now face No. 1 Walsh University (Ohio) on Friday in the second round. The Cavaliers defeated Union College (Ky.) 81-59 on Wednesday.