Box Score
It's a modest one, but Kentucky Wesleyan is now working on a winning streak.
Thanks to career nights from freshman Ken-Jah Bosley and senior Rico Ferguson, the Panthers outlasted Missouri S&T for a 92-83 win Saturday night at the Sportscenter the claim the Kentucky Wesleyan Holiday Tournament championship.
With the win, KWC has now won two straight after a five-game losing streak.
"I think we played defense tonight," said Ferguson, who was named to the All-Tournament team. "That was the No. 1 thing missing from the first games we lost. (Friday) we also played good defense."
Bosley, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, finished with 25 points, four rebounds and three steals. Ferguson scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Panthers (3-5) used a 14-8 run near the end of the first half to create some breathing room and went into half up by 10, leading 52-42. That proved to be enough separation the rest of the way.
Bosley and Ferguson buried 3s midway through the half the gave KWC a 67-53 lead. The Panthers eventually led by as many as 15.
"I just thought he played to win which beats the heck out of playing scared and playing timid," Osborne said of Ferguson. "I can live with that. Just play to win."
As for Bosley, his performance was somewhat less of a surprise to Osborne, who knew that was the type of player he was getting in Bosley when he recruited him.
"My goal is to find 10 like that," he said. "That's the kind of kids we had at Georgetown."
KWC allowed Missouri S&T (3-2) to shoot 48 percent from the field, but the Panthers answered by hitting 27-of-50 (54 percent) and cashing in on 35-of-45 free throw attempts.
KWC also forced the Miners into 20 turnovers and won the rebounding battle, 35-27. Lonnie Hayes chipped in 16 points for KWC.
Five Missouri S&T players finished in double figures with Zach Ellis leading the way with 20 points.
Osborne said weeks ago when losses started to mount that he felt if his team could get one win, it could open the door for more. With Friday's win, the monkey was off the team's back. Ferguson said they played with less pressure Saturday night.
"I think it loosened us up," Ferguson said. "We were tight and wanted to win so bad. I think that win gave us the opening to have fun and I think our team came out and played defense and rebounded."
It's just what doctor ordered as the Panthers close out their non-conference schedule over the next month, Osborne said, starting first with three home games next week.
"It gets us some momentum going into conference," Osborne said of Saturday's win. "We've got (Illinois) Springfield in here Tuesday night and have our hands full. Nothing's going to be easy. It's a team that's got to play hard and a team that's got to overachieve, but it's a good win. I'm happy for our guys. They've hit their head against the wall for a while."
