Seymour’s boys basketball team never found its rhythm during a grinding, physical 44-31 loss to Bloomington North on Saturday night.

The Owls (6-4) finished the game 26 points below their season scoring average (57.3) and shot just 39% from the floor, including 0-for-8 from 3-point range.

Andrew Levine’s two free throws with 10 seconds left prevented Seymour from being held under 30 points for the first time since a 49-27 loss to North’s cross-town rival, Bloomington South, a year ago.

Levine was one of three Owls to score a team-high seven points. Marcus Brooks and Charlie Longmeier also reached that total.

After being held to just 10 first-half points, Seymour leaned on Longmeier and Brooks to power a 10-0 run that cut a 13-point North lead to three late in the third quarter.

Longmeier was the primary spark during that run with three steals and six points.

Brooks, with a circus left-handed layup, and Levine tried to carry the offense in the fourth quarter, but North (9-3) proved to be too steady.

In response to Seymour’s third-quarter run, Cougar seniors Marco Fitch and Nate Hoffman hit back-to-back 3-pointers to restore North’s lead to 29-20 and never allowed Seymour to get closer than seven points the remainder of the game.

Hoffman, with a game-high 19 points, and Fitch together outscored Seymour with a combined 34 points.

Saturday’s game featured the most creative refereeing of the season with 11 charging fouls called on the two teams. Only one blocking foul was called, and not until the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for the Owls, foul trouble is becoming a trend. In its last three games, Seymour is averaging 24 fouls called against it, while only seeing 13 fouls called on its opponent.

The result of that disparity is on display on the foul line. In their last two losses — Saturday against North and Dec. 28 vs. New Albany — the Owls shot 23 free throws compared to their opponents’ 63.

On Saturday, Seymour ended the game 5-for-10 from the foul line, while Bloomington North made 19 of 27 free throws. North made 13 foul shots in the fourth quarter, allowing the Cougars to maintain a safe distance from the Owls.

Seymour now has a week to prepare for next Saturday’s trip to Hoosier Hills Conference rival Columbus East. After starting the season 5-1, the Owls have dropped three of their last four games and will look to regroup against the Olympians (1-8).