The Culver-Stockton men's basketball team outscored ninth-ranked William Penn 44-40 in the second half but came up short in an 84-76 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss Wednesday night in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

The league-leading Statesmen built a 44-32 halftime lead on the strength of strong shooting in the first half that saw them hit 17 of 36 shots for 47 percent.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats struggled out of the gate and made 12 of their 34 field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes for 35 percent.

The second half was a different story as C-SC shot 45 percent (14-31) from the field, including 7-for-17 from outside the 3-point arc, while limiting the Statesmen to 41 percent (13-31) shooting but only 1-for-7 from the arc.

The Wildcats placed four players in double figures with Jim King and Robert Fry II leading the way with 16 points each off the bench. Seth Larson added 11 markers while Javon Modester totaled 10 points and registered a team-high six rebounds.

The are slated to return to action this Saturday, Jan. 28, with another road conference game at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.