Last Thursday and Friday the Bears played in the Jeff Uphaus Memorial Tournament hosted by MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kans.). The two other schools in the tournament were Sterling College (Sterling, Kans.) and Jamestown College (Jamestown, ND).

The pace in which MNU played on Thursday night seemed to catch the Bears off guard as they connected on a multitude of easy buckets early on. The Patriots scored in bunches and built a double digit lead by the midway point. As the second half started, the Bears came out with great energy and cut into the lead before the MNU’s bench started connecting from deep to keep the Bears at bay. The final score of 120-71 was not indicative of how competitive the game was for three-fourths of the game.

In the consolation bracket on Friday evening, the Bears took on the Jimmies of Jamestown. The Jimmies connected on 64% of their shots in the first half, but only held a five point lead over the Bears thanks to a late run to finish out the half. However, a 20-7 run by the Jimmies to open the second half sealed the Bears fate as they were not able get back within striking distance in a 102-82 loss.

Senior Charles Brodhead (Lompoc, Calif.) and junior Lex Pena (Woodhaven, NY) led the Bears in scoring on Thursday night while Brodhead, junior Jay Bradley (Wichita, Kans.), sophomore Jay Milton (Paris, Texas) and Quinton Walker (Paris, Texas) all finishing in double figures on Friday night. One of the few highlights of the weekend was junior Tanner Huck (Coldwater, Kans.) being the recipient of a character award by MNU.

Tuesday night the Bears travel to Goodwell, Okla. to take on Panhandle State University in their last exhibition of the season. Game time is set for 7 pm.