DELAND, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman held Stetson to 15 second-half points, but the Wildcat rally fell short in a 56-52 loss to the Hatters Tuesday night.

Willie Green scored 18 points as Stetson (1-9) took a 41-23 halftime lead, but made just 5 of 22 after the intermission.

Troy Simmons' bucket pulled Bethune-Cookman within one at 51-50 with 2:22 left. Stetson's Green made two free throws a minute later to extend its lead to three points. After Mikel Trapp hit a lay-up with 51 seconds to make it 53-52, Green answered again and Brian Pegg made one of two free throws with three seconds left to seal the win.

Clemmye Owens had 12 points for Bethune-Cookman (2-8), Tony Kynard had 11 and Barry Smith double-doubled with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Wildcats open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday at Norfolk State on the sixth game of their 12-game road trip.