Game notes
Kentucky Wesleyan College returns to the court after a 10-day Christmas break, and coach Happy Osborne is hoping his Panthers bring their momentum back with them.
The Panthers, who haven't played since a Dec. 21 victory against Quincy College, have won six in a row and eight of their last nine and will have a chance to keep the winning streak alive Wednesday when they host Brevard College.
"I think our guys were looking forward to the break, but they are excited to get back," Osborne said. "The guys have been playing with more confidence, and it's nice to be able to play back at home.
"All of our guys are really playing well. They aren't brand new teammates with each other any more. They are starting to get more and more comfortable, and you can see that."
Brevard enters with a 3-7 record, but the Tornados have won three of their last four games and feature a two-headed scoring attack of Darius Moose and Trevon Shaw. Moose, a 6-foot-3 forward, averages 19.9 points per game, and Shaw, a 6-1 guard, adds 16.5 points per game.
Other starters for Brevard include 6-8 center Alex Moe (6.7 ppg), 6-1 guard Stevie Williams (5.6 ppg) and 6-4 forward Jaylon Debardlabon (4.8 ppg).
The Tornados can be deadly from long range and shoot an average of 23 3-pointers per game.
"We will need to have a hand in their face and get in the passing lanes and will need to do a good job of getting to their shooters," Osborne said. "We will need to be aggressive on defense, and whatever we do, we can't give up an open look."
Strong defense has fueled KWC's winning streak, but so has an explosive offense led by Ken-Jay Bosley (18.6 ppg) and C.J. Blackwell (12.9 ppg). Blackwell is averaging 21.2 points per game during the Panthers' last six games with Bosley scoring 19.2 points per game during that stretch.
Other starters for KWC will be Marcus Fillyaw (8.1 ppg), Hikeem Stewart (5.1 ppg) and Ifeanyichukwu Ude (2.7 ppg).
Following Wednesday's game, the Panthers will have another week off before hosting Oakland City University Jan. 7.
