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PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's basketball team had a hard time slowing down the Morton College offense on Tuesday night, losing 85-72 in a non-conference tilt.

The Panthers (5-2), who came into the game scoring nearly 80 points a game and featuring standout forward Nick Dixon (29.6 PPG),  did not pull away until late in a game that was close throughout. They had three scorers eclipse the 20-point mark, led by Dixon's 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Greg Carter scored 23 points, and Arran Skinner had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the visitors.

The Hawks (2-5) were led by Robert Hudson (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Conant)'s 19 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Parks (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) and Admir Suljic (Chicago, Ill. /Lane Tech) each chipped in 12 points.

Harper led 5-3 early, but the Panthers took command for much of the first half. Skinner posed problems on the glass for the Hawks, as he racked up nine first half rebounds and helped Morton to a 20-12 edge on the boards in the half. Dixon's pair of free throws with 2:08 remaining in the half made it 35-25, but the Hawks closed on a 7-2 run to end the half capped by Suljic's 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 37-32.

Skinner continued to hurt the Hawks on the inside early in the second half with back-to-back layups to give Morton a 45-38 edge. Harper hung tough, however, as Jalon Roundy (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) hit a 3-pointer to close the gap to 47-44. The Panthers responded with an 11-4 run of their own to push it back to a 10-point lead (58-48) with 11:49 left.

The Hawks would get no closer than eight (66-58 with 8:04 left), and Carter's free throws gave the visitors their biggest lead of the game at 75-60 with 6:18 remaining.

Harper was outrebounded 37-21 for the game. The Hawks shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) for the game, compared to 51.6 percent (32-of-62) for Morton.

Harper takes the court again on Thursday night for a game against Harry S. Truman College (0-6). Tipoff is set for 7 PM inside the Wellness & Sports Center.