A combination of inconsistent play coupled with pristine shooting from visiting Jones did the Bears in Monday as they had no answer for the Bobcats, falling 89-54.
 
"We thought we came out with a really good defensive focus and intensity to start the game, but at the end of the day, it is a shot-making sport," Southwest head coach Corey Schmidt said. "I have to go back and watch the film but there were so many opportunities where we got the ball the rim but did not finish."
 
The Bears (11-8, 2-2 MACCC) and the Bobcats were jockeying for position early on as both offenses struggled to score through the first few minutes of the contest. The scoreless streak was broken at the 15:33 mark on a make from Hami Ndiaye giving Southwest the early lead.
 
Both teams continued to battle for another 8:00 before the Bears went cold and the Bobcats rallied.
 
Jones outscored the Bears 24-4 in the final 7:40 of the first half putting Southwest down 40-20 at the half. 
 
The Bears tried to cut into the Bobcat lead early in the second half, but Jones picked up where it left off in the first, scoring the first six points of the session, increasing the deficit for the hosts.
 
However, Southwest rallied to match Jones with six quick points of its own but the momentum was short-lived as the Bobcats answered right back.
 
For the remainder of the contest, the Bears continued to fight, showing great resiliency, but Jones kept its big offensive night going, before eventually running the clock out and taking the win.
 
Tylik Weeks led the Bears with 12 points while Josh Schonback and Ndiaye each posted 11.
 
Southwest will be on the road Thursday as the Bears travel to Moorhead to face Mississippi Delta at 7:30 p.m.