KWC can't overcome mistakes - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Scoreboard

Box Score

Turnovers were the main concern for the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team before the Panthers took on South Carolina in an exhibition game Thursday night.

The Gamecocks' press and trapping defense, the kind KWC coach Todd Lee said the Panthers won't see again this year, forced 24 miscues. It also took KWC out of its offense for much of the game as the Panthers dropped a 78-55 decision at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.

"They are long and athletic, in the post and on the perimeter," Lee said. "That was a concern going into the game, getting a shot every time down the floor and limiting our turnovers."

The Panthers kept the game close in the first half despite the Gamecocks running out to a 9-0 lead.

KWC fought back and tied the game at 15 on a 3-pointer from Jay Ivey with 10:30 left in the first half. South Carolina then made another run and, at halftime, KWC trailed 38-27.

In the second half, South Carolina's defense allowed the Gamecocks to pull away and hold KWC to 39.3 percent shooting, 22-for-56, for the game.

South Carolina's size in the front court, including a pair of 6-foot-9 players in Sam Muldrow and Johndre Jefferson, helped with a 39-32 edge in rebounding.

Sixteen of those rebounds were on the offensive glass. KWC outrebounded South Carolina in the first half.

Desmond Stephens led KWC with 13 points. Kwan Waller came off the bench and scored 11 points in 17 minutes of action. Ivey also had seven rebounds and Andree' Wilson six.

The Gamecocks put five players in double figures. Muldrow had 17 while 6-7 Dominique Archie added 12. Ramon Galloway had 11 points while Mike Holmes and Brandis Raley-Ross finished with 10 points each.

Lee said he was pleased with his team's defensive effort on Devan Downey, holding last year's first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick to three points on 1-for- 7 shooting.

Thursday's game is the start of a stretch where KWC plays three games in five days. The Panthers will face the University of Evansville at 7 p.m. Saturday at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, then wrap up at Purdue on Monday.

KWC will have eight days off after that, giving the coaching staff a chance to break down three games worth of film and translate the information into work during practice.

The swing is also a taste of what the Panthers will face later in the year when they'll have to play three games in five days twice during Great Lakes Valley Conference action.

Lee said KWC didn't have much say in scheduling this week's exhibition games, and added South Carolina coach Darrin Horn originally wanted to play on Wednesday night, but moved the game back a day at KWC's request.

"Three games in five days, that happens twice for us during our league season," Lee said. "Of course we're not playing South Carolina, Evansville and Purdue, but it will be good for us."

Print Friendly Version