FULTON — Even though they had a resurgence and was able to pull within three in the second half, the Bears couldn't fully recover from a slow start Thursday in a 79-73 loss at Itawamba.
 
"You just can't put yourself in that kind of a hole in the first half," Southwest head coach Corey Schmidt said. "We played bad at both ends of the floor to start the game. It was a terrible half."
 
Through the first 3:25, the Bears (15-11, 6-5 MACCC) could not get into rhythm and were out-scored 11-3 by the Indians.
 
A Tylik Weeks 3-pointer shortly afterward gave the Bears a bit of momentum but it didn't last long as Itawamba stayed locked in.
 
As time wound down in the first half, the deficit, unfortunately grew for the Bears. Makes from Hami Ndiaye, LeVionne Lindsey and Weeks paced Southwest but Itawamba stayed a step ahead and stretched its lead to 16 at 42-26 at the half.
 
At the beginning of the second half, the Bears got into a groove. Consecutive makes from Fazl Oshodi, Lindsey and Weeks helped Southwest start the final 20:00 of play on the right foot. The Bear defense also shined holding the Indians scoreless through the first 2:49 of the half.
 
Not long afterward, a 3-pointer from Jaylen Haliburton cut the Bear deficit down to single digits at nine.
 
Makes from Lindsey and Haliburton allowed the Bears to keep pace despite Itawamba holding the lead.
 
Southwest continued to fight but could not get the lead as the Indians eventually ran the clock out and took the win.
 
Weeks led the Bears with 20 points while Oshodi recorded 17 and Lindsey 15.
 
Southwest will be back in action on Monday at 7:30 hosting Meridian.