Panthers take down USI - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Box Score

The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team made up a lot Monday night for what was missing the first time it faced sixth-ranked University of Southern Indiana.

The Panthers withstood a furious rally by USI that erased a 10-point lead, then they were huge on the free-throw line down the stretch to survive 84-77 in front of 3,800 boisterous fans at the Sportscenter.

USI coach Rodney Watson said after USI hammered KWC 93-64 at the PAC Arena on Jan. 17 that it could be a 60-point turnaround the next time the teams played. He was off on the margin, but had the correct thought process about the rematch.

"Their backs were against the wall a little bit with this," said Watson, in his second season as USI's head coach. "All these games are like NCAA Tournament games now. These are great games to get you ready for March."

The Panthers (16-8, 9-8 Great Lakes Valley Conference) were struggling to get themselves ready to play at all in March after losing three straight coming into this matchup with their arch rival.

With USI coming to their home court, and on senior night, the Panthers didn't need a lot more motivation, but they were still aware of what happened the first time the teams met.

"We reminded them of that, but you didn't have to say a lot," KWC coach Todd Lee said. "Rodney knew they played a great game the first time, and it wouldn't be that kind of game again."

Anthony Young made eight straight free throws in the final 52 seconds to help preserve the victory as the Sportscenter crowd roared its approval. He made all 14 of his free throws on the way to a game-high 23 points.

"We've been on a three-game losing streak, and we knew how important it was for us to get this win," said Young, who also pulled down 14 rebounds. "We really concentrated."

The Panthers were up 60-50 with 5:36 to play on a Cardell McFarland 3-pointer, but USI worked back into contention by going to its power player in the middle, Mohamed Ntumba. The 6-foot-7 senior had four fouls on him when USI (21-3, 13-3) started getting the ball inside to him almost exclusively.

Ntumba (12 points) scored nine straight to help cut the deficit to 62-60 with 3:31 to play. A 3-pointer by Jared Rehmel (16 points) pushed USI on top 63-62 with 3:03 left, but the Panthers then started digging deep to regain control of the game.

KWC went on a 12-1 run, during which it got two free throws and a big 3 from Chris Williams (12 points), a dunk from McFarland (16 points) off a fastbreak, a drive and two free throws from Kwan Waller (16 points) and a free throw by Jay Ivey.

The Panthers were up 74-64 with just under a minute to play and made their free throws the rest of the way.

KWC made 32-of-38 from the line for 84 percent. USI was 22-of-26 from the line.

The major differences in this victory and the big loss in January to USI was KWC's work on the glass and stronger defense all over the floor.

The Panthers never let USI get going from 3-point range, where it made 5-of-19 for 26 percent, and they also kept a better handle on Ntumba by getting him in early foul trouble.

"We tried to pressure their guards a little more," Lee said.

Defense on the ball was a major key, according to Watson.

"I really liked Kentucky Wesleyan's defense," Watson said. "They stopped our dribble penetration. They cut off our passing lanes much better."

The Panthers finish out the regular season Saturday at No. 2 Bellarmine in Louisville.

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