The Haskell Indian Nations University men’s basketball team had a tough act to follow Friday night. The women’s team had just defeated College of St. Mary, and the men squared off against Bellevue University, the No. 6 team in NAIA Division II in the second game.

The Indians hung tough through the first 16 minutes, but Bellevue proved to be the superior team and defeated Haskell, 91-64.

With four minutes to play in the first half and his team leading 28-21, Bellevue coach Todd Eisner told his team to end the half on a “four-minute run.” His team responded with an 11-4 surge, giving Bellevue (18-1) momentum at the break, and Haskell (1-18) never recovered.

“They’re a much better team,” Haskell coach Jamie Morrison said.

The Indians shot a chilly 11-of-23 from the free-throw line and 14-of-39 from the floor. Wacy Weeks led the Indians with 14 points, 12 coming in the first half. Weeks was 6-of-12 from the floor and hit two of three three-pointers. But his teammates combined to shoot a paltry 17-of-53.

“Shooting’s always been confidence, and when you’re 1-for-18 your confidence is shaken,” Weeks said.

Despite the team’s lack of shooting, Weeks thought at halftime the Indians still could come back and win.

Haskell's Wacy Weeks (30) shoots over Bellevue's Bryce Johnson. The Fightin' Indians lost, 91-64, on Friday night at Coffin Complex.

“I believe we can win any game against anybody any given night,” Weeks said.

But Bellevue opened the second half with a 7-2 run and busted the game open with easy shots at the rim by Klaye Rowe, who scored 11 points in the second half.

“I was telling my coach that 10-point deficit they start smelling blood,” Weeks said. “And that’s exactly what happened. Their confidence went up, and ours was starting to fade away a little bit.”

Morrison said instilling some much-needed confidence back into his team could be done by winning just one more game.

“That’s what this team needs: to win,” Morrison said. “That goes a long way in restoring some confidence.”

And as the leader of the team, Weeks said winning games and restoring confidence was something he took charge of.

“I tell the boys every day to come back in and get better,” Weeks said. “Tomorrow’s a new day, and we’ll put this one behind us.”

The Indians won’t have much time to dwell on their defeat. The men’s team will play at 5 p.m. today at home against York College.