OMAHA, Neb. --  The #5 SBU Bearcats suffered their second loss of the season, falling 88-84 to the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

The Mavericks would open the game with 15-3 run and led by as much as 12 points later in the first half before the Bearcats would fight back. Johnnie Harris would tie the game at 30 apiece with three minutes remaining in the first half. Nick Kovacevich would hit a three just before the halftime buzzer, sending the teams to the break with the Mavs leading 40-38.

Nebraska-Omaha would push the lead to seven points in the second half. Wendell Mardis would tie the contest at 56 with a layup at the 12:56 mark. With the score knotted at 66, the 'Cats would only convert one of four free throws, fouling a foul and subsequent technical on UNO's Justin Petersen. SBU's largest lead came at 71-67 with 6:12 to go, before the Mavs would retake control. SBU would grab one final lead at 80-79 on a three by Brandon Clemons but UNO's Michael Jenkins would nail a big three with 33 seconds remaining, and two free throws with four seconds to go, clinching the Mavericks' victory.

Matt Rogers led the Bearcats with 21 points and 10 boards, and was one of five Bearcats in double figures. Clemons had 13 points, Kovacevich and Johnnie Harris had 11 points each and Mardis had 10 points for SBU. Jenkins had 26 points to lead the Mavs.

The Bearcats shot 42% for the game and were just 32% from long range (12/37). SBU out-rebounded UNO 44-38 but the 'Cats committed a season-high 21 turnovers.

SBU falls to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA while Nebraska-Omaha improves to 11-4 and 5-3 in the MIAA. SBU is now tied for first in the MIAA with Emporia State, with Washburn a half game back at 6-3.

SBU returns home for a battle of the Bearcats on Saturday night, when they host the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.