PARK HILLS — Fresh off of its first postseason win in seven years, the Three Rivers College men's basketball team could not make it two in a row against one of the nation's best teams in the Region 16 semifinals.

The Raiders led the Mineral Area College Cardinals — the No. 6 team in the latest NJCAA poll — with 11 minutes to go, but faded late and ultimately fell to MAC 79-65.

Three Rivers ends its season with a record of 14-18.

Down 49-44 with 12 minutes to go, Kyle Edison's basket began a 7-0 run, including a game-tying 3-pointer by Edison with just under 11 1/2 minutes to go in the game. Joey Thomas followed that with a layup to put the Raiders ahead 51-49 with just over 11 minutes to go.

But that was the last lead the Raiders held Thursday as they were held scoreless from the field for the next 5 1/2 minutes as MAC took a 62-52 lead on Tyler Smith's basket with a little more than 5 1/2 minutes left in the game.

Josh Meo's basket with four minutes and change to go put the Cardinals (29-2) ahead 69-54 — their biggest lead of the game — and the Cardinals led by double figures the rest of the way.

Edison led Three Rivers with 21 points, while Caleb Young added 13 and Faheim Meran had 10.

Amarion Dickerson led MAC with 26 points, while Smith added 18, Doreante Tucker had 16 and Josh Meo finished with 12. Richmond Mawutor finished with 13 rebounds.

The Cardinals will host Moberly for the Region 16 championship Saturday.

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic