Midland, Mich. -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (17-5 overall, 12-3 GLIAC) lost a 69-63 GLIAC contest at Northwood University (9-15 overall, 6-9 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors struggled from the field shooting just 30 percent (19-of-63) and was held to only 25 points in the first half.  WSU grabbed 23 offensive rebounds and led in rebounding margin 43-38 in the game.

After scoring the first bucket of the game on a made field goal by senior forward Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech), the host Timberwolves tallied the next eight points.

WSU battled back to knot the game at eight on a jumper by sophomore Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) at the 11:44 mark.

After pulling within three at 25-22 with just under two minutes left before intermission, Northwood closed out the first half on an 8-3 run for a 33-35 halftime advantage.

Following a slow start to the second half, the Warriors were within four (39-35) after a triple by senior guard Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern).  NU responded with a 12-2 run opening a 14-point lead.

The Warriors trailed by 10, 64-54, with 69 seconds left,  but Smothers made three triples cutting the Wayne State deficit to three at 66-63 with 25 seconds left.

After Northwood's Cameron Joyce split a pair from the foul line, WSU missed its final two three-point attempts.

Wayne State is 5-3 in conference road games and will play its final two regular-season road contests next week at Ferris State (Thursday) and Grand Valley (Saturday).

Smothers and sophomore guard Mike Hollingsworth (Utica, Mich.) each had 18 points for Wayne State.