CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Apprentice School men's basketball team tried to mount a furious comeback Saturday afternoon but fell short in a 71-67 loss at Johnson & Wales.

The Builders got the first basket of the game on a Mahlik Munnerlyn layup in the first minute, but that was the only time that Apprentice led the contest as they went spells without scoring in the first half. The Wildcats led by 16 at intermission before the Builders started to storm back in the second half.

Apprentice cut the lead down to one point on the heels of an 11-0 run to put the score at 63-62 with just over three minutes to play, but JWU answered with a 5-0 spurt to stretch the lead back out to six. The Builders again cut it to a single point with seven seconds to go, but the Wildcats broke pressure and got an and-one to put the game out of reach.

Donovan Means led the Builders with 13 points, while Karree Smith added 12.

The Builders will return home on Wednesday for a New South Athletic Conference matchup with MACU at 7:30 p.m.