LEWISTON, Idaho – Despite a strong first half, Rocky Mountain College was unable to pull off an upset against No. 12 ranked Lewis-Clark State in a 78-71 loss Saturday.

Through the first five minutes, the Battlin' Bears jumped ahead on a 21-8 run. Shooting a 51.43 field goal percentage in the first period, the Battlin' Bears entered the half ahead of the Warriors 47-37.

Landing just 8-of-35 from the field, Rocky's accuracy faltered in the second period. 

Lewis-Clark rallied to draw the game close after the half. Rocky held a slim 68-67 lead with just under five minutes left in the game, but the Warriors finished the game on a 10-3 run to hand the Battlin' Bears their sixth straight conference loss.

Rocky's Clayton Ladine scored a season-high 24 points with seven rebounds while Grant Wallace posted 15 points with seven boards. Sam Vining had nine points and five assists.

The Warriors' Damek Mitchell flirted with a triple double after scoring a team-high 26 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Jake Albright also recorded a double double with 13 points and 14 rebounds while Trystan Bradley posted an 11-point performance.

Rocky finished the night shooting 37.1 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent from beyond the arc. Lewis-Clark shot a 45.6 field goal percentage while shooting 31 percent on three pointers.

The Battlin' Bears held a 41-37 edge in rebounds over the Warriors.

Rocky will return home to face Carroll College in the Fortin Education Center on Jan. 29.