Panthers hope to shake off rust vs. Rangers - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Scoreboard

Kentucky Wesleyan College doesn't want a rusty feeling when it takes on Wisconsin-Parkside at 2 p.m. today in the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.

The Panthers, No. 1 seeds in the GLVC East, are coming off 10-day break since the end of the regular season. Coach Todd Lee was concerned about the effect the layoff will have on his squad.

"Both of these teams played last Saturday, and they're playing now while we've been sitting," Lee said as he watched Parkside and Missouri-St. Louis meet Saturday at the Sportscenter.

Parkside beat UMSL 74-60, placing five players in double figures. Jeremy Saffold led a balanced effort with 15 points for Parkside (10-18). The Panthers (27-3) beat Parkside 78-64 on Jan. 4.

A good start for fourth-ranked KWC will be critical because the Rangers already are game ready.

"They gain momentum, and they're going to come in believing they can win again," Lee said. "We talked about that, and that is collegiate athletics. You win, and you forget about your record. We've got to come out with a ton of energy."

Some of that energy this season has been supplied by Willie Richardson, who moved into the starting lineup in late-season wins over Southern Indiana and Bellarmine. That move also coincided with Maros Zuffa having a flu-like sickness and missing the USI game.

Richardson scored a team-high 18 points against USI.

Marico Stinson and Andree' Wilson have also given KWC a significant lift in reserve roles, with each scoring nearly 11 points a game.

Travis Owsley has come on strong lately for the Panthers, but he has also been suffering from flu-like symptoms. He has been key in backing up first-team All-GLVC performer Desmond Stephens during KWC's stretch run.

There are three primary duties KWC must take from the last few weeks of the regular season to have a successful roll deep into the postseason, according to Lee."The key to us is taking care of the ball, and we have to rebound," Lee said. "We haven't shot a very good percentage from the field, so we have to gain possessions."

Today's winner will advance to the GLVC Tournament semifinals next Saturday at Illinois-Springfield. The GLVC Tournament championship game will be next Sunday.

Print Friendly Version