Box Score
The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team used a strong second half performance to pull off a 64-52 win over G-MAC foe Salem International on Thursday evening. The Panthers are 13-5 overall and 8-1 in conference action following the victory over the Tigers.
Salem International opened the game by knocking down a three pointer, before senior
Shelbi Tyra put the Panthers on the board with a layup at the 19:01 mark.
The Tigers used an 11-0 run to build a 12 point advantage with 12:04 on the clock in the first half of play, as Salem International led 18-6. Freshman
Asia Coates ended the Salem International run by making a layup with 10:21 to go before the break.
Senior
T'Essence Phelps pulled the Panthers within four of the Tigers at the 4:43 mark of the first half with a layup of her own.
Junior
Jordanne Gambill scored the final basket of the first half, knocking down a three pointer as Salem International went into the break leading 27-22.
The Panthers shot 25 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes of play and 20 percent from three point range, while going 4-for-4 from the free throw line. The Tigers connected on 33 percent of its shots from the field, 67 percent from beyond the arch and 88 percent from the stripe.
Gambill hit a three pointer to tie the game for the first time at the 17:16 mark of the second half to make it a 29-29 game. Phelps gave KWC its first lead of the game when she hit a free throw on the Panthers ensuing possession.
Senior
Karly Rhoads hit a three pointer to give the Panthers the 36-31 with 15:16 remaining in the game. Salem International scored the next four points, but KWC answered with a 4-0 run of their own to go ahead 40-35 with 10:12 on the clock.
Freshman
Jennifer Walker-Crawford built an 11 point advantage at the 3:11 mark after making a layup to put the score at 57-46. Tyra made it a 14 point game following a layup with 1:48 to go in the game. The two teams exchanged baskets from that point on, as KWC took the game 64-52.
The Panthers ended the game shooting 37 percent from the floor, 30 percent from beyond the arch and 78 percent from the free throw line. The Tigers hit 35 percent of its shots from the floor, 56 percent from three point range and 92 percent from the free throw line.
Gambill posted a team best 20 points, as Phelps collected 10 rebounds. Senior
Kourtney Rhoads finished the game with five assists and three steals in the win.
KWC returns to action on Saturday, February 1 against G-MAC opponent Ohio Valley at 1:00 p.m. CST.
