JACKSON, Miss. – The Pirate men’s basketball team ran out of time in the second half as their comeback from 20 points down fell short as they were knocked out of the SCAC tournament by DePauw 67-60.

The first half started as a shoot out and continued that way as both teams were hot from the floor early but DePauw took a slight four point lead with just over eight minutes to play in the half and built on it throughout the remainder of the first period.

The Tigers were unstoppable from the field going 15-26 from the floor (57.7%) and 10-18 (55.6%) from long range, posting 45 points to SU’s 26. The Pirates were unable to secure an offensive rebound in the first half and were down 11 rebounds total for the game thus far.

At the outset of the second period Southwestern came storming back, going back to the fundamentals to get open looks and pulled within 11 points, 52-41, with just under 12 minutes remaining in the contest.

By drawing charges on the defensive end and working the ball around offensively SU continued to cut the lead and were within seven, 54-47, with 8:15 to go and forced a DePauw timeout to attempt to break the Pirates’ run.

SU was unable to get the big stop on the defensive end or shot on the offensive end until Travis Barber stole the ball from Sean Haseley and was then fouled giving Southwestern the ball back. On the ensuing possession Nick Caputo drained a three, pulling the Pirates within six points 62-56.

On the following defensive possession Southwestern held the Tigers to a tough three pointer by Lemasters as time wound down on the shot clock, but he secured his own rebound and was fouled, pushing the lead back to eight. SU came down the floor and had three great looks from long range and pulled down their third offensive rebound of the possession that led to senior A.C. Cox being fouled and making both from the line bringing the Pirates within six, 64-58, once again.

Southwestern fouled James on the in-bounds pass and he missed the front end of a one-and-one, but a lane violation gave him another chance and he sank both. The Pirates couldn’t score again until the closing buzzer sounded, giving DePauw the 67-60 win.

Barber led with 16 points for SU while Cox and Brown both chipped in 14. DePauw’s Lemasters led for the Tigers with 18 points.

Southwestern ends the season at 16-10 overall while DePauw advances to the semifinals with a 19-7 overall record. Seniors Cox, Barber, Zach Bergstrom and Collyn Kelley close out their careers as Pirates with the SCAC loss.