PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - An unwanted feeling of Deja vu hit the Midway men's basketball team in a 76-71 road loss to River States Conference foe Shawnee State on Sunday.

The Eagles scored the game's first 10 points and saw their lead balloon as high 15 points when a Nick Keeton layup four minutes into the second half made the score 50-35.

But on the ensuing possession, Tre Beard, who led Shawnee State with 23 points, hit a 3-pointer, and the Bears would continue to chip away the rest of the half.

Midway was able to hold the lead until there was 2:44 remaining, but Beard again came up with a clutch play. Down 67-65, he drove to the lane and converted a layup while being fouled. His ensuing free throw gave Shawnee State its first lead.

Decoreio Smith, who also had 23 points, and Beard would proceed to trade baskets, with Smith putting the Eagles back on top 71-70 with 1:39 to go.

Unfortunately for Midway, Shawnee would land the final punch, taking the lead back 72-71 on an Ezra McKee layup.

The Bears then played suffocating defense on the other end, forcing Will VanHook into a contested fadeaway jump shot as the shot clock expired, which bounced off the rim.

After two free throws, Shawnee State committed a foul, which resulted in a missed free throw at the other end by Midway. After securing the rebound, Shawnee's Cory Gardner hit two free throws to close a second half in which the Bears held a 47-31 scoring advantage.

It was the second such loss the Eagles suffered this week. They led by 20 points in the first half and seven in the final three minutes, only to lose 84-83 on a last-second shot at Alice Lloyd on Wednesday. 

Smith, the only Eagle to score in double figures Sunday, also had a team-best six rebounds. VanHook had five assists and Henry four steals for 4-8 Midway, which drops to 1-3 in conference games.

The Eagles are back on the road Tuesday, taking on West Virgina Tech at 5:30 p.m.