OWENSBORO, Ky. -- The Indiana Wesleyan University men?s basketball team lost 73-51 in an exhibition contest at NCAA Division II powerhouse Kentucky Wesleyan College on Thursday night in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Kentucky Wesleyan (8-2) holds a strong tradition in the Division II ranks with eight national championships.

The Wildcats put up a strong fight in the first half and trailed 26-25 minutes before halftime. The Panthers were able to execute a late run of 10 unanswered points to complete the half and enter the locker room with a 36-25 advantage.

Indiana Wesleyan (11-4) was unable to recover and lost by a 22 point margin.

Sophomore Spencer Harris and freshman Will Hubertz led the Wildcats with 12 points a piece. Harris added four assists while Hubertz was 4-of-6 from three-point land. Junior Antonio Murrell chimed in with eight rebounds and four assists.

Kentucky Wesleyan shot a stifling 52-percent from the field while Indiana Wesleyan only made 36-percent of their shots.

Indiana Wesleyan will take off the rest of the year for Christmas break and return to action at 8:05 p.m. CT, as the Wildcats will compete in another exhibition game at NCAA Division I Valparaiso (Ind.) University.