SMS Bears Off To Worst Valley Start

The frustration continues for the SMS men’s basketball team. The Bears blew a 14-point lead with about 15 minutes left, and lost to Northern Iowa 62-53 at the Hammons Center. SMS got off to a good start. The Bears opened the game with an 11-0 run. SMS led 31-19 at the half, but went ice-cold in the second half. Tamarr Maclin’s basket with 9:58 to go was the team’s final field goal. Northern Iowa shot 73 percent in the second half. Grant Stout led the Panthers with 21 points. Tamarr Maclin’s 15 points paced SMS. The Bears are now 7-8 overall and 1-6 in the Missouri Valley. That marks the team’s worst start in 15 MVC seasons.