MOBERLY — The Three Rivers College men's basketball team came oh-so-close to starting the season 5-0 on Saturday at the second day of the Midwest JUCO Challenge against the Southeastern (Iowa) Blackhawks.

Southeastern's Inslee Carroll hit a basket with less than a second remaining to lift the Blackhawks past the Raiders 57-56 on Saturday afternoon at Fitzsimmons-John Arena.

Carroll's buzzer-beater negated some late-game heroics by Demetris "Meechie" White, who sank a pair of free throws with 5.5 seconds left to give the Raiders a 56-55 lead.

However, Southeastern (5-0) drove down the court and Carroll hit what ultimately turned out to be the game-winner.

As a team, the Raiders shot 38% from the field (19-for-50) and 30% behind the 3-point arc (8-for-27).

White finished the game with 17 points, while Allen Stoddard added nine in the loss. Stoddard also had three steals and two blocked shots, while White and Deion added two steals each and Sikou Diagouraga also blocked two shots.

It was a different story the night before, when Three Rivers downed the Highland (Illinois) Cougars 64-59 at Fitzsimmons-John Arena.

The Raiders made a 36-31 halftime lead stand up and also pulled down 41 rebounds to dominate the glass while also overcoming 39% shooting from the field (21-for-54).

Matt Hampton paced Three Rivers with 19 points, while Wesson added 17 off the bench and Robert "Deuce" Alexander had 10. Hampton also hauled in eight rebounds, while Alexander and Stoddard each had seven. White had three steals, while Stoddard and Wesson each had a pair and Stoddard also blocked two shots.

The Raiders are back in action on Tuesday at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois. Tipoff time is slated for 7 p.m.

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic