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PALATINE, Ill. – A late comeback wasn't enough to give the Harper men's basketball team a victory over the visiting Kishwaukee Kougars on Saturday afternoon, as the Kougars stayed unbeaten with a 79-71 victory over the Hawks.

The Kougars (5-0) came into the matchup averaging 87.2 points per game. Five players scored in double figures for a well-balanced Kishwaukee attack, led by Shaquille Francis' 16 points and 17 rebounds (both game highs). Yashua Trent and Juwan Starks each contributed 13 points. For the Hawks (2-4), Admir Suljic (Chicago, Ill. /Lane Tech) and Robert Hudson (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Conant) scored 13 points apiece, and Davion Benton (Chicago, Ill. /Alcott College Prep) posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  

The Kougars commanded the game for much of the first half, building up a 43-26 lead in the game's first 17 minutes. Harper trimmed the lead to 43-31 at halftime and cut the Kishwaukee lead to 50-42 early in the second half on a Jamal Sherman (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) basket. The Kougars, however, went on a 6-0 run to bump the lead back up to 14.

Trailing 73-57 with 3:42 remaining in the game, the Hawks' defense, which forced 21 Kougar turnovers in the game, turned up the pressure and created some easy baskets. After a Mike Burns turnover, Hudson converted a three-point play with 1:19 remaining to cut the deficit to 74-65. On the next possession, another turnover led to a Donte Harper (Elgin, Ill. /Elgin) (eight points) layup. Suljic stole the ball on the next Kishwaukee possession, and Randy Hewitt (Chicago, Il/Roycemore School) converted a jumper to make get within five at 74-69.

After Trent split a pair of free throws, Hewitt's 3-pointer was off the mark, and the Hawks were forced to foul with 16 seconds left. The Kougars sank their last four free throws to preserve the win.

Kishwaukee shot 53.1 percent (26-of-49) from the floor for the game, compared to just 34.8 percent (23-of-66) for Harper. The Kougars struggled from the foul line, shooting 56.4 percent (22-of-39). The Hawks shot 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the line.

Harper returns to action Tuesday night at home against Morton College (4-2) at 7 PM.