MANHATTAN, Kan. _ The shorthanded University of Central Arkansas Bears could not keep up with the Kansas State Wildcats on Wednesday night in a 100-56 loss at Bramlage Coliseum.

The Bears played without three starters in Camren Hunter, Masai Olowokere and Glory Etim, along with three key reserves in Daniel Sofield, Ibbe Klintman and Javion Guy-King, due to injuries and sickness. That left a very short bench and a lot of inexperience on the floor for most of the night for the visiting team.

Sophomore Carl Daughtery, Jr., made the most of his first start of the season, scoring a career-high 23 points and making 4 of 8 from three-point range, in just 26 minutes of action. Junior guard Brendan Simmons played 20 minutes and scored eight points, connecting on a pair of three-pointers. Junior transfer Issakha Niang provided a career-high 20 minutes off the bench.

Shooting woes plagued the Bears from the opening tip as they made just 3 of their first 21 attempts from the field and shot 17.9 percent from the field _ 2 of 18 from three-point range _ in the first half. UCA trailed 49-22 at the break.

The Bears shot considerably better in the final 20 minutes, hitting at a 41.4-percent clip and making 6 of 15 from beyond the arc.

The Wildcats (4-2) had four players in double figures and shot 50.7 from the field for the game and made 10 three-pointers. Arthur Kaluma led KSU with 20 points. The Wildcats also dominated the rebounding with a 63-28 advantage with UCA missing its top two rebounders in Etim and Guy-King.

UCA freshman Tucker Anderson finished with 13 points as the only other Bear in double figures. Sophomore point guard Johannes Kirsipuu had 6 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.

UCA returns home this weekend for the Central Arkansas Classic. The Bears will face Eastern Michigan at 2:45 Saturday and New Orleans at 2:45 Sunday at the Farris Center.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday
12:00 - North Dakota vs. New Orleans
2:45 - UCA vs. Eastern Michigan

Sunday
12:00 - North Dakota vs. Eastern Michigan
2:45 - UCA vs. New Orleans