MASON CITY, Ia. — The learning curve continued for the Bay College men Saturday as they dropped a 93-87 overtime basketball decision to North Iowa Area Community College in the final round of the Koingsmark Classic.

Bay trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, but climbed within 44-40 at the intermission. The contest was knotted at 76 at the end of regulation.

“We showed a little bit about our toughness,” said Bay coach Matt Johnson. “This shows the guys are willing to fight hard and persevere. I can’t say enough about the kids. They’re going to give us everything we’re asking for. They’re playing hard. The biggest thing is we need to learn how to close out basketball games. It’s tough for a younger group like this to be close and not get over the hump.”

Dre’ Tuominen led the Norse (0-3) with 28 points, five steals and four assists. Alfonzo Fields added 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals and Kobi Lumsden-Barnes had 10 points and seven boards.

“All around Dre’ played pretty well,” said Johnson about his guard from Negaunee. “He was 11-of-12 from the line and had only two turnovers in 37 minutes. Alfonzo shot incredibly well and single-handedly kept us in the game in the first half. Kobi was in foul trouble and only able to play for 15 minutes, but played real well when he was in there. He had a great weekend period. We’re hoping this is a coming-out party for Kobi. We need to do a good job establishing the post and I think that will keep coming along.”

Nick Hurd paced NIACC with 28 points and four assists. Orrington Hamilton tallied 14 points and Hollis Hardwick finished with 10 points.

The Norse were outrebounded 47-37, hit 35-of-101 field goals and committed 16 turnovers.

“Turnovers were our Achilles heel Wednesday and Friday,” said Johnson. “We did a much better job of that on Saturday. They pressed us probably 38 of those 45 minutes. We made a huge stride. I’m pleased with how well we battled in these three games. We’re just a play and there from being 3-0, but the fact is we’re not. We’re taking a lot from these three games. We’re going to get over the hump soon. We’re going to figure things out and going to be much better because of it.”

NIACC finished 40-of-84 from the floor and had 26 turnovers.

Bay hosts Alpena Community College Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The summary:

Bay College 40 36 9 — 87

North Iowa Area CC 44 32 15 — 93

Bay College — Fields 16, Gibbs 8, Tuominen 28, Willette 6, McKenney 6, Maki 3, Ellis 7, Finkbeiner 3, Lumsden-Barnes 10. FT: 26-33; F: 22; Fouled out: Fields, Lumsden-Barnes; 3-point field goals: Fields 4, Tuominen 3, Maki, Finkbeiner.

North Iowa Area CC — Hamilton 14, Hurd 28, Payne 7, Harding 9, Lucas 1, Skogen 6, Mills 8, Hardwick 10, Sims 5, Myers 5. FT: 20-31; F: 29; Fouled out: Hardwick; 3-point field goals: Hamilton 2, Hurd, Payne, Skogen, Mills, Sims.