The South Whidbey High School boys basketball team couldn’t quite pull off a miracle finish and fell 56-55 at Seattle’s University Prep Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Trailing by three points, the Falcons’ Kody Newman was fouled shooting a three-point shot at the buzzer and went to the line with a chance to tie the game. Newman, who hit 11 of 12 free throws up to that point, sank two, missing the middle attempt.

The senior guard finished the game with 30 points, getting 13 in the fourth quarter when South Whidbey rallied from 10 points down.

For the game, Carson Wrightson added 12 points, Dexter Jokinen 6, Sterling Patton 3, Levi Buck 2 and Nick Young 2.

Wrightson also had 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Newman scored 6 points, Wrightson 5 and Jokinen hit a three-pointer, but the Falcons trailed 19-14 after the first period. Neamin Amare pumped in 9 points to lead the Pumas’ fast start.

The Falcons trimmed the lead to one, 26-25, in the second quarter as Newman tossed in five points and Jokinen hit another three-ball.

The third quarter was the difference maker. South Whidbey committed six turnovers in the period, helping University Prep (2-0) outscore the Falcons 17-8 and go ahead 43-33.

The fourth quarter was full of free throws. The Pumas allowed South Whidbey to get back in the game by making only three of 12 from the charity stripe. The Falcons hit nine of 13. For the game, University was 13-for-24 and South Whidbey 21-for-29.

Amare finished with 19 points for UP; Owen Morgan had 14.

South Whidbey (1-3) hosts Oak Harbor (1-3), Falcon coach Mike Washington’s former team, at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.