WICHITA, Kan.  — Southwestern nearly erased a 20-point second-half deficit but came up short Tuesday night in a 77-74 loss to 16th ranked Friends in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Southwestern (19-8, 13-8 KCAC) trailed 40-25 at halftime after shooting just 30.3% from the field in the opening 20 minutes while Friends connected on 51.7% of its shots.

The Falcons (22-5, 17-4) stretched the lead to 56-36 with 14:27 remaining in the second half before the Moundbuilders mounted a steady comeback.

Southwestern shot 54.8% after the break and scored 49 second-half points to claw back into contention. Wyatt Bell's 3-pointer with 2:31 left cut the deficit to 73-70, and his layup with 53 seconds remaining pulled Southwestern within 77-74.

After forcing a defensive stop, the Moundbuilders had a final chance to tie, but a contested 3-point attempt in the closing seconds was off the mark.

Nigel John led Southwestern with 19 points and nine rebounds, hitting 6 of 9 from the floor and 7 of 11 at the free-throw line. Isaac Hoberecht added 16 points, including three 3-pointers, and Evan Barber scored 11 points.

Friends placed three players in double figures, led by Cahlese Lee with 19 points. Randy Woolf Jr. finished with 17 points, and Eli Benning added 15 as the Falcons shot 51.9% for the game.

Southwestern finished 27 of 64 (42.2%) from the field and 8 of 25 (32.0%) from beyond the arc while outrebounding Friends 42-29.

Southwestern returns to action Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting the University of Saint Mary at 3 p.m. The men's basketball seniors will be honored for Senior Day during halftime of the women's game.