Poor first half dooms Indians / LJWorld.com

Haskell Indian Nations University men's basketball coach Jamie Morrison just shrugged his shoulders.

The HINU skipper did not have an answer after his team allowed Bethany College a 19-0 first-half run.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Lati Hill (23) goes up for a layup in front of Bethany's Mike Melcher. The Fightin' Indians lost, 96-79, Tuesday night at Coffin Sports Complex.

That lead provided the Swedes an insurmountable advantage in their 96-79 victory at Coffin Sports Complex, even though a frenzied second-half run by Haskell cut the deficit to six points with seven minutes remaining.

"Same story," said a sighing Morrison, whose squad fell to 0-10. "I don't know why this team can't put a complete game together. We can play for 25, 30, even 35 minutes, but we don't have the focus or energy to go the whole way."

Not even an energized second-half rally by Haskell could reverse that damage in a spirited and sloppy game that saw the squads combine for 52 personal fouls, three technical fouls and 51 turnovers.

A free throw by HINU sophomore forward Jamison King, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, cut the Swedes' lead to 69-63.

But Bethany closed the game with a 27-16 spurt, scoring 14 straight points at the free-throw line.

"I just don't know what it's going to take to turn this around," said Morrison, whose team will play Southern Nazarene on Saturday in Bethany, Okla.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Topah Spoonhunter, center, is surrounded by Bethany defenders Ronny Mitchell, left, and Thad Pera. The Indians lost, 96-79, Tuesday at Coffin Sports Complex.

HINU women 83, Kansas Wesleyan 58

The return of junior Lucita Yesslith and sophomore Honey Round Face -- who both had been battling leg injuries -- must have fired up the Indians (2-4), because they scored a season-high.

Junior Samantha Pete led the way with 18 points.

"It was a good win for us going into Thanksgiving break," said HINU coach Phil Homeratha, whose team will play Westminster College on Dec. 4 in Fulton, Mo.