KANSAS CITY, MO. – Jack Thompson scored 13 points and Matt Cartwright added 12 but the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (0-1) dropped a 73-52 decision to Southern Nazarene in the season opener at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday (Nov. 12).

The Cougars, which will face No. 1 Northwest Missouri State at 12:45 pm on Saturday (Nov. 13) at the challenge, had a frustrating day on offense. USF hit just 19-of-56 field goals for 33.9 percent and was just 3-of-19 from three-point range for 15.8 percent. However, USF controlled the boards, finishing with a 37-33 margin.

In a game with four lead changes and a tie, USF trailed just 31-29 at halftime after leading for a good share of the first half. However, SNU outscored USF, 42-23, in the second half. SNU hit 16-of-27 shots for 59.26 percent after the break, including 6-of-10 from three-point range to create separation from the Cougars. As for USF, they made just 8-of-26 field goals for 30.77 percent including 3-of-11 from three-point range. Two other categories in stats favored SNU, including its 20-11 edge in points off turnovers and 20-8 margin with points in the paint.

Thompson, who now has 20 career double-digit scoring games, led USF with 13 points as he hit 6-of-13 shots form the field while adding an assist, two rebounds and a steal. Cartwright had 12 points in 32 minutes. USF also had nine points from both Chase Grinde, who added three rebounds and two assists, and Austin Slater, who had a team-high nine rebounds.

Tyler McGhie led SNU with a game-high 25 points while Adokiye Iyaye added 15. McGhie hit 5-of-9 from three-point range and Iyaye was 2-of-4.

Scoring Summary -
In the opening half, both teams struggled from the field as the Cougars hit 11-of-30 for 36.7 percent and SNU was 12-of-29 for 41.4 percent. However, SNU had a 2-0 edge in made threes to take a 31-29 lead to halftime. Slater led the Cougars with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and foul line while Cartwright and Grinde supplied seven each. McGhie led SNU with 10 points.  USF was 0-8 from three-point range but 7-of-10 from the foul line and held a 21-17 rebound edge. Both teams committed five turnovers.

In the early minutes of the game, USF took a 12-8 lead as Grinde scored six points by hitting two field goals and a pair of foul shots. SNU had a pair of three pointers from Jalen Lynn to stick close.

With a lay-up from Slater and a free throw from Cartwright, USF led, 22-20. With a four-point run, SNU took a 24-22 lead (4:26). With 2:24 to play Thompson converted a layup and then Cartwright hit a shot as the Cougars held a 29-28 advantage. However, it was USF's last lead of the game as SNU scored three straight points for the two-point halftime advantage. 

After SNU took a four-point lead (33-29), Cartwright knocked in USF's first three of the game and reached double figures (10 points). It was all SNU after that as they took off on a 14-0 run to build a 47-32 lead. Thompson's three at 13:06 cut the lead SNU's to 47-35 and ended a six-minute USF scoring drought. With the Cougars not able to maintain any consistent offense, SNU continued to build on the lead, pushing the margin to 60-41 with seven minutes to play.