CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — The grind has arrived.

American Southwest Conference play is here.

The Sul Ross State men's basketball team made the 809-mile trip to take on the University of the Ozarks Eagles at the Mabee Gymnasium.

Sul Ross was seeking to win for the first time in Clarksville, Ark. since Jan. 5, 2019.

The Lobos let an 11-point lead slip away as the Eagles came out of the heated contest with an 81-78 victory Thursday night.

There were two quick lead changes early in the first half before Sul Ross got a three-pointer off the fast break from Luke Pluymen.

Sul Ross continued its momentum as Christian Nevarez made a layup off an assist by Daveone Bass to increase the run to 5-0 with 13:45 on the clock.

Julian Paredes followed through with a three that was dished out by Hayden Peterson to give the Lobos an eight-point lead.

A block by Caelyb Kerley led to a layup by Paredes that made the run increase to10-0. Paredes then put Sul Ross ahead by 11 by landing a free throw with 12:18 remaining.

The Eagles soared all the way back to tie the game at 26-all with nearly eight minutes to go.

Down the stretch, Gabe Sanchez tied up the game once more, this time at 28-all.

The Ozarks then pulled ahead with an eight-point lead after Josh Ukpe hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds left in the first half.

During the second half, the Eagles led by nine early on. Sul Ross cut the deficit down to two with 13:12 on the clock when Bass landed a layup.

A three by Nevarez got the Lobos to within one.

The Eagles then got into a rhythm by knocking down some shots from beyond the arc to take an 11-point lead.

Kerley helped the Lobos rally by scoring five points in about 33 seconds. Kerley hit a clutch three to chisel down the deficit to six.

Bass hit a jumper to get the Lobos within four with 3:08 left to go. The Eagles answered back with a three-pointer and then Nevarez retaliated with a three of his own.

The Ozarks revamped its lead to eight with 1:40 remaining.

Sul Ross did not want to go down without a fight as it trailed by four after a jumper by Nevarez with 12 seconds on the clock.

The Lobos cut the deficit to three when Kerley made one of two free throws late in the game, but it was a race against time as the Lobos couldn't rally back.

Paredes led the way with 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals while Nevarez chipped in with 18 points.

Pluymen added with 13 points and three steals while Kerley finished with 11 points.

Bass tallied 10 points to round out the offense.

The Eagles out rebounded Sul Ross, 42-34. The Lobos had 22 points off turnovers while they knocked down 10 three-pointers.

>> RECORDS: Sul Ross 1-4 (0-1); Ozarks 6-1 (1-0)

>> UP NEXT: The Lobos take on the University of Texas at Dallas on the road at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.