Coach Jesse McClung already thought his Saint Mary-of-the-Woods men's basketball team had the confidence to compete with an NCAA Division I opponent.
But it was still nice to see it play out that way Wednesday at Valparaiso in the Athletics-Recreation Center.
The Pomeroys led by as many as seven in the first half and led 58-56 with under 10 minutes remaining before going deeper into their bench, falling by a score of 82-71 in an exhibition men's basketball game.
Lincoln Hale and Tarik Dixon each had 12 points to lead the Pomeroys, while Cobie Barnes had 11. The Pomeroys played well offensively overall. SMWC hit 6 of 13 from 3-point range in the first half, and the Pomeroys were shooting near 40 percent the first 30 minutes overall. 
SMWC got to the free-throw line 33 times, knocking down 23. 
Hale was 5 or 6 from the field and 2 for 2 from 3-point range and also led the Pomeroys with three assists in his 14 minutes.
"That was a lot of fun," said Hale. "After I saw that 3 go in that called back or the foul, it felt good. So I kept shooting the ball and they kept going in so that was good to see in the first game of the season. Not just me, everyone on the team."
Dixon sparked the offense rom the opening tip-off, scoring all 12 of his points in the first half.
The senior guard hit his second 3-pointer at the 14:47 mark of the first half to put SMWC ahead 10-9. He added his third and fourth 3-pointers by the 12:51 mark to put the Pomeroys up 18-14.
"I'm glad me and the team were able to step up to the chance to come out here and play. I feel like we all showcased our abilities and I'm excited about what we'll be bringing to the table moving forward," Dixon said.
Freshman big man Shon Tupuola added a bucket to put SMWC ahead to start a 7-0 run that included a 3-pointer for Hale and a turnaround jumper by Barnes that put the Pomeroys ahead 25-18. Valpo put together an 8-0 run to take a 28-27 lead and the Beacons led the remainder of the first half.
Coming out of halftime, Valparaiso extended a lead to 47-40 before Blake Welle battled for an offensive rebound bucket for the Pomeroys' first points of the half.
The Pomeroys' defense put together a strong defensive run, holding Valpo scoreless for a stretch of 4:16, but SMWC didn't capitalize offensively.
Still, Anthony Scales converted a 3-point play to pull SMWC within 51-47 as the Pomeroys climbed back into the game. Hale and Greg Johnson scored, and Johnson put the Pomeroys ahead 53-52 with 11:55 remaining.
Barnes tied it at 56 with a free throw and Hale put SMWC ahead 58-56 with 10:01 remaining, and coach McClung went to his reserves the remainder of the game.
Point guard Greg Jenkins led the team with eight rebounds to go with a steal
 
HOMECOMING FOR DIXON
For Dixon, a native of Gary, Ind., Wednesday's road trip was the opportunity to play in front of friends and family as well as former coaches. His former coach at Andrean High School, Brad Stangel was in attendance.
"It was an awesome opportunity coming up here near my hometown and having a lot of my family members see me in action. That's not something I've always got the blessing to have," Dixon said.
 
UP NEXT
SMWC visits Indiana State on Monday in its final exhibition game at Hulman Center.