MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team lost its first regular season home game of the year on Thursday night with a 71-66 setback to Southwestern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference action.

After a close first half and SWOSU leading only 29-27 at the break, the Bulldogs (5-1, 3-0 GAC) opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take a double-digit lead with 17:44 remaining, forcing UAM to play from behind for the rest of the game.

Senior Andre Brown kept UAM in the game with 12 consecutive points for the Weevils. He sparked an 11-1 for UAM that trimmed what was a double-digit deficit down to a three-point deficit with 12:52 remaining.

SWOSU put a damper on Brown's rally to get on top by double-digits once again with just under nine minutes remaining. The Weevils later answered by once again cutting their deficit down to three points with 3:45 remaining, but SWOSU was able to score on its next possession to maintain at least a four-point lead throughout the rest of the game.

UAM finished the game shooting 39 percent from the field (24-for-62), 29 percent on three-pointers (6-for-21) and 71 percent on foul shots (12-for-17). Brown led both teams with game-highs in points (17) and rebounds (15). It was his second double-double of the year and a new UAM career-high in rebounding.

Junior Vicktor Arnick also reached double-digits in scoring with 16 points.

SWOSU ended the night at 44 percent from the field (27-for-61), 33 percent on treys (6-for-18) and 55 percent on foul shots (11-for-20). Martell Collins led the Bulldogs with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Weevils are back in action on Saturday at home against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Steelman Field House.