Junior forward/center Myron Hodge missed a three-point shot with one second left that would have tied the game for the men’s basketball team.

The tie would have sent the men into overtime against Central Missouri State University, but instead the Mules beat the Lions 64-61 in the opening round of the MIAA Postseason Tournament March 3.

“It kind of epitomized our entire season,” said Robert Corn, head men’s basketball coach.

“We just couldn’t quite make the play when we needed to make the play.”

Corn said he was proud of the effort his players put forth. He said they never quit competing throughout the season, even with so many close losses.

Dan Jones, senior forward/center, led the Lions with 21 points against CMSU.

Quentin Edwards, senior guard, was next with 19 points.

Edwards also had six rebounds. Dale Hunter, junior center, was next with five rebounds.

Hodge had four, and Jones and Jeremie Bond, senior center, grabbed three rebounds each.

Corn said the season overall was disappointing.

“Anytime you go 12-16 you can’t be pleased with your year,” he said. “I felt like we played really well at times, and I felt like we played really average at times.”

He said he thought the one thing missing this year was consistency.

He said the two most consistent players for him this year were Edwards and Jones.

“Those guys are going to leave a void in our program,” Corn said.

He also said the Lions are losing two inside players with Jones and Bond.

Jeremy McCadney, senior forward, is the Lions’ fourth senior.

“All four of those guys have played a lot of minutes,” Corn said. “So we’re losing a lot of experience there. It’s going to be very important for our returning players to start right now to get better for next year.”

The Lions have two early signees. The first is 6-foot-8 and 220-pound Kyle Schrage from Carl Junction.

“We feel like his best basketball is ahead of him,” Corn said.

The second signee is T.J. Britton, a 6-foot-3 guard from Mineral Area (Mo.) College.

“We’re bringing in two guys that we feel very good about,” Corn said. “Now we need to bring in a couple more inside-type players.”

Along with the early signers and a couple inside players, Corn said he and his staff are looking for another guard and maybe a guard/forward combination player.

Two Lions received honors from the MIAA this year.

This season, Edwards was given second-team All-MIAA honors, and Jones received an honorable mention selection from the conference.