The Culver-Stockton College men's basketball team was outscored 44-36 in the second half of an 83-77 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to William Penn University Tuesday night at Charles Field House.

The Wildcats led 41 -39 at the intermission after Nick Spannaus took an inbounds pass from Tai Walters-Whitaker and scored on a short jumper as the clock expired to end the first 20 minutes of action.

C-SC shot just 43 percent in the first half while the Statesmen was over 50 percent at 52 percent. However, the Wildcats forced 10 first half turnovers and were able to get off 42 shot attempts in the half, making 18 of them.

In the second half, the Statesmen, who didn't shoot a free throw in the first half, used an aggressive approach in the second half and managed to shoot 22 free throws after the reak, making 16 of them.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats struggled from the field, shooting 37 percent in the half, including 14 percent from beyond the 3-point stripe, making just one out of 14 attempts.

William Penn led 47-43 early in the second half before the only 3-pointer of the half by the Wildcats was made by Walters-Whitaker with 17:35 to play.

The Statesmen took control of the game at that point with a 13-2 run over the next three minutes to go up 60-48. The Wildcats used a quick spurt to get back within 60-54, but Penn increased its lead to 69-55, the biggest of the game, with nine minutes to play.

The deficit stayed near the 10-point deficit for much of the second half until a late rush by the Wildcats and some missed free throws by the Statesmen put the margin at the six-point mark at the end the game.

The Wildcats placed four players in double figures with Connor Davis leading the way with 24 markers. Davis has scored in double figures in all eight games this season and has registered three games with 20 or more points.

Ryan Stevenson came off the bench and added 15 points, the eighth time this season he has reached double figures, and Keashon Petty netted a season-high 12 points. Walters-Whitaker chipped in with 12 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds and four assists. 

The Wildcats will get a week off before returning to action next Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Tipoff that night is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside the Kehl Center.