MCPHERSON – Benedictine Men's Basketball saw their second-half comeback come up just short on Saturday night as they closed out the McPherson College Classic against their tournament hosts.

Braden Belt connected on a 3-pointer with 9 seconds remaining in the game to pull the Ravens within 3 points, 69-66, before the Bulldogs were able to knock in their free throws down the stretch that allowed them to hold off Benedictine for a 72-68 win.

Neither team came out of the gate connecting offensively. Sam Ungashick gave Benedictine the early lead just under three minutes into the game. A layup from Joel Adese five minutes later gave the Ravens a 6-point lead until Jayden Temme connected on a 3-pointer to make it 19-12 Benedictine with just under 9 minutes remaining in the half.

McPherson took over the lead on a 3-pointer of their own late in the half and the lead changed hands four times down the stretch before another 3-pointer with 30 seconds pushed the Bulldogs ahead at the break, 31-30.

Benedictine regained the lead early in the second half before the game pulled even at 35 at the 17:43 mark. From there, McPherson was able to build a small lead that allowed them to keep Benedictine at arm's length. Messias Dockery hits a jumper to pull Benedictine within one, 54-53, before Temme put the Ravens back in front with just under 7 minutes remaining in the game. 

McPherson regained the lead at 56-55 and never gave it back as they held on for the 4-point win.

Benedictine connected on 9 3-pointers while shooting 44.1 percent from the floor. Temme finished with a game-high 18 points while Belt finished with 18. Both Ahmad Louis and Ungashick scored 9 points each.

The Ravens finished the game with a 32-18 advantage in points in the paint while adding 13 second-chance points.

Benedictine remains on the road, traveling to Sioux City, Iowa, on Nov. 19 to take on (24) Briar Cliff University at 3 p.m.