MIDWAY, Ky. -- After suffering a tough loss to Asbury (Ky.) in a non-conference matchup in their last outing, the Midway men's basketball team returned to the friendly confines of Marshall Gymnasium on Saturday to host Oakland City (Ind.).

The Mighty Oaks led by as many as 13 in the first half and would take a 38-26 lead into the locker room, but Midway battled back and took a one point advantage with just over eight minutes remaining.

Oakland City, however, used a 10-0 run to extend their lead back to nine as they held on for the 78-70 victory handing Midway their first loss in Marshall Gymnasium this season.

With the loss, Joe Krupinski's squad slips to 13-7 overall and 7-5 in River States Conference play, while the Mighty Oaks improve to 10-16 overall and 8-7 in league play with the win.

A triple from Raekwon Evans (Louisville, Ky.) and a layup by Izaya Sims (East Moline, Ill.) helped Midway to an early 5-0 lead, but a four-minute scoreless stretch plagued the Eagles allowing the Mighty Oaks to gain momentum.

Holding a 24-20 advantage with just over five minutes left in the first half, Oakland City used a quick 9-0 run to push their lead to double figures for the first time. A layup from Julio Lopez in the closing seconds gave the visitors a 38-26 lead heading into the locker room.

The first half was one to forget for the Blue and Gold as they shot just 31.4 percent, while hitting just 2-of-13 from downtown. Oakland City, meanwhile, was much more efficient shooting 50 percent overall and 80 percent from behind the arc.

Midway came out firing to begin the second half thanks to the strong play of Izaya Sims. The fifth-year senior from East Moline, Ill. scored eight early points to get his team within five less than five minutes into the second stanza.

Sims later converted a three-point play before Recardo Travis (Louisville, Ky.) hit a layup to give Midway their first lead since early in the first half. Midway's last lead came with 8:22 remaining as Oakland City responded with a 10-0 run en route to the 78-70 victory.

Three players reached double figures for the Eagles led by yet another double-double from Raekwon Evans. The fifth-year senior recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Izaya Sims and Cory Gardner (Owensboro, Ky.) carded 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Oakland City shot 50.8 percent compared to a 42.5 percent clip from the Eagles. Midway struggled from deep hitting just 2-of-22 for 9.1 percent. The Mighty Oaks also got 51 points from their bench compared to 18 from Midway's reserves.

The Eagles are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday (Feb. 8) when they host Alice Lloyd (Ky.) at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Marshall Gymnasium.

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