Winfield, Kan. – In Winfield on Thursday night, the Sterling College Warriors were unable to upset No. 18 Southwestern College, losing to the Moundbuilders 67-70. Sterling was unable to convert three three-point shot opportunities on its final possession, allowing the Moundbuilders to hold on for the victory.

Cody Brazelton (6-6 SR Forward) led all scorers with 25 points on 11 of 18 shooting and pulled in eight rebounds.

Both Trenton Stutzman (6-0 SR Guard) and Darius Alexander (5-11 SO Guard) scored 12 points for Sterling. Stutzman scored his 12 points on three of 10 shooting, two of six from behind the three-point line while Alexander scored his 12 points on four of eight shooting, two of four from behind the three-point line.

Four Moundbuilders scored in double figures. Both Ethan Randolph and Koury Clayton scored 17 points while R.J. Jarrett scored 11 points and Chris Nelson scored 10 points.

The Warriors outplayed Southwestern for most of the first half, controlling the action throughout the period. Sterling built and maintained a slim lead most of the half until a Randolph basket with 25 seconds left in the period gave Southwestern a 39-38 halftime lead.

Sterling would struggle in the second half allowing Southwestern to build the lead to as much as seven points.

SC would battle back, pulling the game to within one point with 33 seconds left in the game.

Michael Morales would score for the Moundbuilders on their next possession, pushing the lead to three points.

Three separate three-point attempts on the Warriors last possession would miss, allowing the time to expire and giving Sterling a 67-70 loss.

With the loss, Sterling drops to 11-12 overall, 6-5 in the KCAC. On Saturday, the Warriors will host the No. 5 McPherson College Bulldogs at the Gleason Center. Game time is 7:00 pm. Watch it live on the Sterling College Sports Network.