WAYNE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team stepped out of NAIA play on Monday evening, going on the road to take on NCAA Division II Wayne State College. The Bruins dropped a 82-65 decision to the Wildcats at Rice Auditorium.
With the victory, WSC remained unbeaten, improving to 4-0 on the year. The game was an exhibition for the Bruins as BU's record remains at 3-2.
The Wildcats started strong out of the gate, ripping off a 10-0 run in just 2:13 of game action.
Bellevue pulled within five on a three-pointer from Raphael Allen at the 15:35 mark before Wayne State pushed their lead to a first half-high 22 with 4:24 to play. The Bruins out-scored the Wildcats 11-6 to close out the half and trailed 37-22 at the intermission.
Allen led the Bruins with nine at the break and Nigel Wilson chipped in six in the first half. The Wildcats were led by Matt Noll and JJ Ferrin with 11 and 10, respectively, over the opening 20 minutes.
Wayne State shot 56% in the first half while holding BU to just 41% shooting, forcing 11 turnovers while committing seven themselves.
BU pulled within 12 at the 13:15 mark as Allen drained a pair of free throws but that's as close as the Bruins made it with WSC securing the 17-point triumph.
Noll finished with a game-high 20 to lead Wayne State. He was joined in double figures by Sean Stokes (14), Ferrin (10), and Cody McCullough (10), the latter of whom hauled in a game-best seven rebounds.
Wilson led the Bruins with 12 and Allen joined his double-digit effort with 11 points. TJ Fritz, Christian Carter, and Calen Chiang added eight apiece while Willie Williams chipped in seven and three assists.
The Bruins host the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bruin Classic this weekend. BU opens with Ozark Christian College at 7 p.m. on Friday evening before entertaining Nobel University at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
