Shawnee ? Free State High boys basketball coach Jack Schreiner’s strategy of milking the clock and slowly wearing down opponents in low-scoring games is a big reason why his team is No. 1 in the Class 6A rankings.

Tuesday night, it backfired badly as the Firebirds suffered their third loss of the season, 44-43, to Shawnee Mission Northwest in a game that appeared at halftime to be a sure-fire FSHS victory.

Free State didn’t scorch the nylon in the first 16 minutes, but the Firebirds still built a 23-13 halftime advantage.

The Cougars couldn’t find any offense, going just 5-of-19 from the field, and the Firebirds were taking advantage of holes in the SM Northwest defense.

Sam Buhler and Danny Pike repeatedly splashed 12-foot jumpers, and the capper was a beautiful lob pass by Buhler that finished with a two-handed flush by Brady Morningstar.

The Firebirds led by as many as 15 points.

“We finally decided that, ‘Hey, if they’re not gonna guard us, let’s milk the clock,'” Schreiner said of Northwest’s lackadaisical defense. “I should’ve had us attacking more, and I didn’t.”

After the Cougars’ offensive ineptitude put the home crowd to sleep in the first half, SM Northwest shot an unconscious 18-of-26 for 69 percent in the second half. On the other end, Free State went just 5-of-27 in the final 16 minutes.

Northwest consistently broke Free State’s full-court press and crashed the boards. Morningstar, who had six caroms for the Firebirds in the first half, was kept without a rebound the rest of the game as Cougar big man Mike Garrison took over. He was responsible for half of Northwest’s 44 points, scoring a game-high 22.

Free State High coach Jack Schreiner questions a call during the Firebirds' game against Shawnee Mission Northwest. FSHS lost, 44-43, Tuesday in Shawnee.

Morningstar led the Firebirds with 15, and Sam Buhler added 12.

“They couldn’t miss in the second half. I don’t know what happened,” Free State guard Matt Green said. “Our offense just wasn’t producing.”

But Free State had its chances to win.

After Garrison gave Northwest the lead at 38-37 with 2:17 remaining, Morningstar scored on a layup and was fouled. He missed the charity, then missed a short jumper on Free State’s next possession.

Then, with the Firebirds trailing, 42-41, the usually consistent Morningstar missed another and-one free throw.

Free State's Lauren Kimball tries to split two defenders as she goes to the basket during the Firebirds' 56-42 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest. FSHS fell Tuesday in Shawnee.

Trailing 44-41 with :19.5 left, Scott Heitshusen missed a three-pointer, but the miss was saved by Green as it was going out of bounds and he called timeout.

Free State scored a Morningstar layup on the ensuing play, and the clock ran out.

With three games remaining before sub-state, Free State still is eyeing a Sunflower League title.

“Oh yeah, we’re gonna come out the next three games and build momentum going to state,” Green said. “It was just a team loss. Now we have to come back and get some more team wins.”

SM Northwest 56, Free State girls 42

The Free State girls suffered the same type of loss the Free State boys are used to dishing out — slow and steady. The Firebirds held on until a 13-3 Cougars run in the third quarter.

Photo Gallery: FSHS vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest Free State boys schedule Free State girls schedule

Northwest’s Micaela Uriell led all scorers with 22 points, and Jamie Stanclift led Free State with 15. Banaka Okwuone tallied 12 rebounds for the Firebirds.

Both the boys and girls will look to rebound Friday at home against Olathe Northwest.