Wabash could not hold a 12-point first-half lead Sunday afternoon in an 80-64 loss at Hiram in North Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball action.
 
The Little Giants raced out to a 20-8 advantage with 12:15 left to play in the opening period, thanks to a 17-2 run that erased a two-point advantage by the host Terriers (9-2, 3-1 NCAC). Wabash went scoreless for the next five minutes, allowing Hiram to tie the game at 20-20 before eventually claiming a 37-32 halftime advantage.
 
Wabash drew no closer over the final 20 minutes. The Little Giants were outscored by 11 points in the second stanza.
 
Freshmen Johnny Jager and Evan Frank paced the Wabash offense. Jager led the team with 21 points to go with four steals and three assists. Frank scored a season-best 16 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds for his second double-double. Seniors Daniel Purvlicis and Austin Burton each chipped in with nine points apiece.
 
JJ Woodson tallied a game-high 30 points in the winning effort for the Terriers. Paul Ortiz scored 15 points and Trey Sanders finished with 11.
 
Wabash (6-5, 0-4 NCAC) is back in action Monday at Allegheny College (2-9, 2-2 NCAC) for a 3 p.m. tip. The Gators lost at home 67-64 to DePauw on Sunday.