Box Score
Kentucky Wesleyan added two reinforcements to the depth chart and played like it had a little extra juice in the tank.
Senior Donovan Johnson and sophomore Devin Langford, two of the three players who were suspended indefinitely prior to first game of the season, were reinstated before Saturday's game and the Panthers blew out Salem International, 99-71, to establish a winning record for the first time since winning the opening game against Quincy.
KWC jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the game's first six minutes and never looked back as it won its fifth straight game overall and second straight against Great Midwest Athletic Conference competition.
"I was real surprised we started 17-0," freshman Ken-Jah Bosley said. "We've started games with teams not scoring well at the beginning of games because they're not ready for our trapping defense. I can't tell you we knew we were going to take the lead 17-0, but it was just a credit to our defense. Happy put us in good positions to get steals and had good plays to get us open shots."
Bosley added that having the two players back gave the team a boost of momentum before the game even started.
"You see (Johhnson and Langford) in the locker room smiling for once," Bosley said. "They've done these last few days, just staying in their rooms and stuff. With them
happy, it makes us happy. We're back together as a full team and that's great."
Osborne said he thought his team came out ready to play, but then they "promptly let up."
Salem International (5-2, 0-2 G-MAC) went on a 17-8 run to make it a 39-26 score with just under four minutes left in the first half, but KWC (6-5, 2-0) led 51-34 heading into halftime.
The game was never in doubt as KWC never trailed and held Salem International to just 25 points in the second half.
"I wasn't comfortable at halftime," Osborne said. "I was scared that if we took off in the first five minutes we'd be in trouble. I didn't want to give them much momentum, that's for sure."
Defensively, KWC was able to be effective without fouling. The Panthers committed just 11 team fouls and Salem International attempted just two free throws the whole game compared to KWC's 44 attempts. KWC finished with 25 defensive deflections.
The Panthers had four scorers in double figures, led by Bosely's 25 points. Patrick Neel had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Dominique Dawson had 13 points and nine rebounds. Rico Ferguson added 10.
Johnson scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in his season debut while Langford played just one minute and didn't score.
The two were notified on Friday that they were going to be reinstated after being suspended almost exactly one month ago for an undisclosed violation of institutional rules.
KWC Athletic Director Jim Askins said senior Alex Brown, who was also suspended at the same time, remains out due to "something unrelated."
"I don't want to say too much or too little," Askins said of Johnson and Langord returning. "But the investigation is concluded and there was no reason for them to not be playing ball right now."
Askins said he believes KWC handled their suspensions appropriately.
"Everything was handled, as far as Kentucky Wesleyan's concerned, in a way that if we had to do it over again, we'd do it the exact same way," he said.
Neither player had practiced before Saturday's game, so Osborne said it will naturall take time for them to adjust. KWC has 10 days before its next game on Dec. 18 against St. Joseph's.
"They've got to learn what we're doing," Osborne said. "It's a different team than when they left. They owe us.
"I kind of like the guys I had. They'll help for sure. But I liked the guys I had. It was a lot of fun with the guys we had. I hope it's as much with everybody."
