During halftime of Saturday’s men’s basketball game between Haskell Indian Nations University and York College, 12 random members of the crowd were allowed to shoot a half-court shot with the winner receiving 50 dollars. Only two of the twelve participants even hit the backboard.

It was that kind of night for the Fightin’ Indians at Coffin Sports Complex. Haskell (4-20) gave up a 20-0 run in the first half and couldn’t get the game back, falling, 96-78, to the Panthers.

“We started off OK and had a lot of energy,” HINU coach Jamie Morrison said. “Then about midway through the first half we started giving them multiple shots on each possession, and we can’t do that. We played good defense and then couldn’t rebound the ball and gave them another chance, and they took advantage of it.”

During that stretch in the first half, York put together its game-changing run to turn a four-point deficit into a 16-point lead at 35-19.

“We were playing hard, but things just weren’t going our way,” HINU’s Wacy Weeks said. “All of a sudden I looked at the scoreboard and we were down 20. We’re working at it, though, and we’re going to keep giving it everything we have every night.”

The closest HINU came the rest of the way was 10 points, making it a 51-41 game with 15 minutes remaining.

Haskell Indian Nations' Brandon Stevens gets tangled up with York College's Jonathan Neeley during the first half. Saturday night's game was played at Coffin Athletic Complex.

Weeks led Haskell with 28 points on 12-of-22 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds.

As the season winds down and the losses continue to mount, it would seem to be a difficult task for Haskell to stay motivated and energized about coming to the arena. Weeks says that isn’t the case at all.

“The love of the game,” Weeks said when asked how he would continue to give everything he had. “I could be at home right now sitting back on the reservation, but I got an opportunity to play ball, and I’m going to enjoy every day of it.”

Haskell women 57, York 45

The Haskell women’s team fared better in a game that was a lot closer than the final score.

Haskell Indian Nations' forward Margaret Stevens puts up a shot over York College's Lizdeika Rivera during the second half. HINU beat York Saturday afternoon at the Coffin Athletic Complex.

Samantha Pete scored 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting to lead the Indians.

“I was afraid of York because they were a lot bigger than us,” HINU coach Phil Homeratha said. “This is a sweet win. It’s one of the best wins we have had in awhile.”

The Indians trailed most of the game but took the lead at 39-37 on a three-pointer by Pete with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.

Haskell’s Kortney Smith, a Lawrence native, scored 13 thanks to an 8-for-10 night from the free-throw line.