NEWPORT NEWS - After trailing by as many as 18 in the second half, the Apprentice School men's basketball team clawed all the way back to cut the lead to two but could get no closer as they lost their first home game of the season Thursday night to Lighthouse Christian, 76-73.

The loss snapped a 19-game home winning streak for the Builders that dated back over a year ago to early February 2023.

The Makos jumped out to a big 21-7 lead just six minutes into the game before Apprentice settled in, cutting the lead to as few as one on two occasions before halftime. Lighthouse came out again in the second half and pushed the lead out to 18 before the Builders' defense woke up and allowed them to have a chance to tie the game with five seconds left, but the shot bounced off the rim and the Makos clinched the regular season crown.

Karree Smith surpassed 1000 career points in his collegiate career with his first basket of the night. He finished with 15 points in 25 minutes of action. He has now scored 962 points while at Apprentice during his three years in Newport News.

Avin Hawkins led the Builders with 23 points, while Adrion Wall added 12. Eddie Brown for Lighthouse had a game-high 30 points.

The Builders will wrap the regular season Saturday at Cheyney before hosting the New South Athletic Conference Tournament March 1-3.