SPOKANE, Wash. – Sullivan Menard scored 15 including four threes, but Whitworth came up short with a 65-62 overtime loss to Knox on Friday in its final game of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic game at Hawaii Pacific University.

The Pirates (5-5 overall, 2-0 NWC) have lost four straight non-conference games to fall back to .500, Knox (8-3 overall, 2-1 MW) won its third straight.

Jerry Twenge and Jake Holtz added 11 and 10 but Whitworth struggled to find a rhythm, shooting just 22-64 from the field.

Whitworth trailed early after hitting just 4 of its first 24 shots, but the game became a back-and-forth affair in the second half, featuring five lead changes. But Knox went on a 10-0 run capped by a three from Chikere Nwosu to take a 57-50 lead with 5:34. Yet, the Pirates responded once again.

Menard buried a triple to cut the deficit to two and with 23 seconds left Holtz converted a point-blank layup to tie the game 59-59. Russell Wright appeared to win the game for Knox with a put back at the buzzer, but his shot was called off as the clock ran out prior to the release.

In overtime Whitworth missed a few key opportunities. With 19 seconds left, Menard missed a chance to tie the game with a pair of free throws, and the Pirates allowed a rebound off a missed free throw giving the Prairie Fire a second chance which they cashed in for a 65-62 lead.

On the final possession Twenge's tying attempt was off the mark, Menard managed to scoop up the loose ball and attempt a heavily contested three at the buzzer, but it was well short. Menard was 4-16 from deep in the game, and the Pirates were 0-5 from the field (0-4 from three) in overtime, their only points coming from a pair of free throws.

Chikere Nwosu led Knox with 13 points, Andrews and Wright added 11 and 10 for the Prairie Fire.

Whitworth will be back at home against Elmhurst on Dec. 30 as the Pirates seek to get back in the win column.