HIRAM, Ohio - February 3, 2024 - The Terriers came close to picking up their first conference win of the season behind another scoring surge from Trent Jakacki, but the effort fell just short in a 79-69 loss to Oberlin on Saturday afternoon at Price Gymnasium.

Jakacki poured in another 37 points to raise his season scoring average to 22.5 PPG. Only 10 student-athletes in all of Division III entered the day with a higher scoring average this season.

The Hiram men's basketball team also honored its Teams of Distinction on Saturday, honoring five historic Terriers teams from the 1971-72 through the 1975-76 seasons. Those teams combined for a 85-29 record, four PAC Championships and four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.

The celebratory afternoon included a highly competitive NCAC matchup, with Hiram and Oberlin going back-and-forth throughout a first half that ended in a 35-35 tie. Jakacki scored 14 points over the last 7:44 of the period.

Oberlin's JJ Gray made his presence felt in the second half, scoring 18 points and finishing with a game-high 28 points. The freshman also had two blocks and one steal on the defensive end.

For Jakacki, the 37 points tied his second-most points in a career game. He continued to mix mid-range jumpers with hard dribble-drives to the hoop, earning high-percentage looks and multiple trips to the charity stripe.

Oberlin went on an 11-2 scoring run to close the game and hold on for the victory.

Hiram will next take on Wittenberg on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside Pam Evans Smith Arena in Springfield, Ohio.