The Washington men’s basketball came up short against Southwest Edgecombe on Tuesday, 64-54.

Out of the gate, it was clear last week’s snowstorm and Washington’s inability to hold practice had an adverse effect on the Pam Pack’s offensive rhythm. “We’ve had one practice in the last two weeks,” said Head Coach Steven Flowers. “I don’t know their situation, but it’s hard to win like that.”

While the Pam Pack kept it close throughout the first half, the Cougars’ managed to create open looks in the paint by drawing the Pam Pack defenders to the perimeter.

On the offensive end in the first half, the Washington guards looked uncharacteristically sluggish and managed to preserve the Cougars’ lead with extensive turnovers. Southwest Edgecombe’s slim 29-23 lead would never be relinquished, as Washington mirrored their first-half pace over the final 16 minutes.

The Pam Pack came out of the break determined to chip away at the lead, but the Cougars remained composed. With Washington’s standout offensive forward Stevie Green on the bench, Southwest Edgecombe continued to expand the point differential.

“[Green] wasn’t giving us what we needed,” said Flowers. “That team out-jumped us and we need rebounding. He’s not giving us that.”

Tyquavious Wooten and Jason Jones took the game over, driving and scoring with ease. As the lead expanded to double-digits in the fourth quarter, the Pam Pack’s body language began to reflect their performance.

Washington’s John Whitley gave maximum effort defensively and avoided turnovers at point guard over the final minutes, but in the end it wouldn’t be enough.

The Pam Pack will try to avoid losing two in a row with rematch against Beddingfield on Friday.