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Panthers rally for victory at Indy
Desmond Stephens scores a game-high 25 points with six assists and three steals. Photo by the Messenger-Inquirer

Panthers rally for victory at Indy

Box Score

The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team pulled off a rare feat in the Great Lakes Valley Conference on Saturday -- a second-half comeback win on the road.

The Panthers rallied from a nine-point deficit with 12:47 remaining to defeat Indianapolis 88-81 at Nicoson Hall.

"That's what I'm proud of, we hung in there," KWC coach Todd Lee said. "Indianapolis is a good team at home, and we did a good job."

KWC's comeback was propelled by an emphasis on taking care of the ball. After 12 first-half turnovers, the Panthers only made four floor miscues in the second half.

Even more impressive, point guard Desmond Stephens made just one turnover for the contest while scoring a game-high 25 points with six assists and three steals.

"I just had to make sure they didn't get a hand on the ball when they were (pressuring) me," said Stephens, who also was 12-of-12 from the foul line, including several in the closing minutes that turned away the Greyhounds' comeback bid. "I hadn't been knocking them down, so I've been shooting on my own, and I did what I had to do."

KWC (19-3, 8-2 GLVC) overcame Indianapolis shooting 54 percent (27-of-50) from the field with a 39-25 rebounding advantage that was a team effort, as eight Panthers pulled down between three and six boards.

Wesleyan shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field, including 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range.

The Panthers got a solid effort inside. Jay Ivey scored 11 points with three steals, two blocks and two assists. Andree' Wilson scored eight points with six boards.

"We had a lot of guys step up, and some didn't necessarily make baskets, but they made plays for us," said Lee, who noted Kwan Waller's defensive effort. "Kwan's contribution in the second half was big. He did a heck of a job on (Darius) Adams."

Indianapolis (10-9, 4-6) pushed ahead 38-30 when Ryan Sims converted a layup with 4:48 left in the first half. But KWC cut its deficit to 42-39 at halftime.

"I told the guys it was just a one-possession game and we hadn't played well," Lee said.

KWC took the lead for good when Waller hit two free throws with 6:21 left that pushed the Panthers ahead 70-69.

"I thought we stepped up at times and got big stops," Lee said.

Wesleyan's Chris Williams scored 10 points.

Indianapolis had three players score in double figures, led by Adams' 24 points. Sims added 17.

"Any road win where you're down and come back is big," Lee said.

KWC returns to action Thursday when it visits Lewis.
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