PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - A 17-point comeback attempt came up just two points short, as the Midway men's basketball team fell 73-71 in a valiant River States Conference men's basketball effort Saturday.

A Bears team receiving votes nationally looked dominant early, as a Jaiden Guice 3-pointer put them ahead 37-20 with 7:13 remaining in the first half.`

The Eagles caught fire after that, though, closing the first half on an 18-7 run, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Decoreio Smith that made it a 45-38 game at the break.

Midway kept coming, forcing its first of four second-half ties at 52 on a layup by Dontavius King with 12:50 remaining.

Playing in his first game at Midway, King played a key role in the come-from-behind effort, leading the team with 17 points off the bench while also grabbing five rebounds with three blocks.

Then, 54 seconds after tying the game with a layup, Travontae Swift gave the Eagles their first lead of the afternoon with a layup, making it 67-65 Midway with 3:44 left.

Things stayed within three points the rest of the way, with the Bears going up 72-69 before a pair of King free throws made it a one-point game with 34 seconds to play.

A foul with seven seconds remaining put Shawnee's Jason Steele at the free throw line. But after making the first of two tries, the second rimmed off, giving Midway a chance to win at the buzzer.

After pushing the ball down the floor, Sam Parrish got a look at a 3-pointer, only for it to be no good as time expired.

Smith finished the game with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Swift added 13 points while Maurice Washington Williams score10 and three blocks for Midway, which falls to 3-9 overall with an 0-2 record in RSC play.

The Eagles will look to snap and eight-game losing streak at home on Tuesday, when they host River States opponent Indiana East at 6 p.m.