CLEVELAND – A 17-point, nine-rebound effort by junior forward Dane McLoughlin (Westerville, Ohio/St. Charles Preparatory) wasn't enough as the Case Western Reserve University men's basketball team fell in an upset bid of No. 8 nationally ranked Washington University in St. Louis, 77-64, during University Athletic Association action on Friday evening at Horsburgh Gymnasium.

The Spartans' (9-6, 1-3 UAA) season-worst losing streak reaches three, while the Bears' (13-2, 4-0 UAA) season-best win streak moves to eight.

McLoughlin was one of three in double-figures for the home team. Senior center David Thompson (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior) posted his ninth double-double of the year with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Tim Chung (Cypress, Calif./Los Alamitos) scored 10, while junior center Connor Edel (Akron, Ohio/Revere) added nine off of the bench.

The Spartans led 50-46 with 12:40 remaining in the game, but the Bears utilized a 20-1 run to stay unbeaten in conference play.

Chris Klimek posted game highs of 26 points and 18 rebounds for Washington. Tim Cooney contributed 18 points.

The Spartans trailed 17-7 when Klimek hit a jumper at the 11:46 mark of the first half. Undaunted, the hosts reeled off eight in a row and pulled to within two when McLoughlin nailed a jumper of his own at 8:45. Two minutes later, the Spartans grabbed a 23-21 lead as McLoughlin hit a three-pointer off of a pass by sophomore point guard Jimmy Holman (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer). The Bears then answered with a quick 8-0 run ending in a Klimek layup at 2:16 and eventually went to halftime ahead, 33-28.

In the second half, the Spartans fed off a raucous home crowd and battled back to take a 48-46 lead as a Thompson put-back followed a steal and fast-break layup attempt by freshman point guard Javi Alvarez (Coral Gables, Fla./Belen Jesuit Preparatory) at 12:54. The lead got to four one possession later, capping a 10-1 Spartan run, but the Bears scored the next six and led 52-50 after a Klimek layup at 10:17.

After one Spartan free throw, Washington opened the game up with 14 points in a row. Overall, the visitor run reached 20-1 as Case was held without a field goal for 7:47. Trailing 66-51, the Spartans made one last-ditch effort with a 9-0 run that ended in a Thompson jumper at 3:49. The Bears were able to stabilize from there and hold on for a tough road victory.

The Spartans wrap up their first of two-consecutive UAA home weekends versus the University of Chicago this Sunday, January 26 at 12:00 p.m.

Next weekend, CWRU will hosts its ninth annual Throwback Weekend at Horsburgh Gymnasium with UAA doubleheaders versus Brandeis University (Mass.) and New York University.