SPRING ARBOR, Mich. -- As No. 6-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball lost its second straight conference game tonight by a 70-64 margin at Spring Arbor (Mich.) University it was easy to find what went wrong. 

Indiana Wesleyan (11-6, 3-2 MCC) let a close game slip away because of free throw shooting and rebounding.

The Wildcats connected on just 13-of-26 (50.0-percent) from the foul line, including 8-of 19 (42.1-percent) in the second half, while the Cougars made the most of their attempts, hitting 16-of-18 (88.9-percent). IWU also struggled on the glass as SAU won the rebounding battle 36-21.

Indiana Wesleyan did shoot well from the field at 51.0-percent (25 of 49). But IWU attempted a season-low five 3-point attempts and only hit one from deep (20.0-percent).

Junior forward Patrick Hopkins led Indiana Wesleyan with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting while junior guard George Jones IV added 17 points. Hopkins and Jones IV were the only Wildcats in double figures.

Spring Arbor (12-5, 3-2 MCC) also shot well on Thursday at 51.1-percent (23 of 45) and 53.3-percent (8 of 15) from beyond the arc. Guard Chris Bellamy led all players with 23 points as well as eight rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan will look to rebound in a pivotal Mid-Central College Conference showdown in Luckey Arena on Saturday, January 7. IWU host No. 12-ranked Goshen (Ind.) College at 3 p.m.