After two close wins, the North Central College men's basketball team struggled from the outset in Saturday's College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) encounter at Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday, losing by a 76-44 count to the Titans at the Shirk Center.

The Cardinals (16-6, 6-5 CCIW) managed just 33.3 percent accuracy from the floor (17 of 51) and trailed for the final 32 minutes of the contest.

The lead changed hands four times in the first eight minutes before the Titans (17-5, 9-2) took control for good. North Central owned a 11-10 advantage after baskets by Brandon White and Charles Rosenberg, but IWU countered with nine straight points to pull in front. The hosts scored the final 10 points of the first half, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Dylan Overstreet, to take a 33-17 lead heading into halftime.

The Titans led comfortably throughout the second half, shooting 50.8 percent from the floor (32 of 63), including a 18 for 33 effort (54.5 percent) in the second half. Overstreet paced IWU with 12 points while Andy Stempel finished with 11.

Rosenberg led the Cardinals with nine points, while Jack Burchett grabbed eight rebounds.

North Central hosts Carthage College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The Red Men are 7-14 overall and 3-8 in the CCIW following Saturday's 60-29 loss to Augustana College.