MIAMI, OKLA. ? After playing the Springfield (Mo.) Christian Knights nearly evenly in the first half, the Veritas Christian boys basketball squad played a poor third quarter and eventually lost, 58-51, Friday afternoon at the Northeast Oklahoma A&M Invitational.

Veritas trailed just 23-21 at halftime, but the Eagles were outscored 16-8 in the third quarter in what is becoming a common theme this season.

“We’ve had some time while we’re down here away from home to look over the season stats and trends,” Veritas coach Doug Bennett said. “And the four losses that we’ve had, we’ve lost every one of those third quarters. We’ve got to come out and execute better and have more instinct at the start of the second half.

“I don’t think that we’re taking anything for granted, but it’s something that’s good to know.”

Mark Randtke scored 18 points, and Paul Kempf added 14 for Veritas (7-4), which will play at 1:30 p.m. today in the tournament’s third-place game against a to-be-determined opponent.