Game notes
First place in the G-MAC standings will be on the line Saturday when Kentucky Wesleyan College and Trevecca Nazarene University clash at 3:15 p.m. at the Sportscenter.
And even though both teams have played just two conference games, KWC coach Happy Osborne isn't downplaying the significance of the matchup.
KWC (12-3, 2-0) and Trevecca (6-7, 2-0) have each had at least three weeks since their last G-MAC game, and Trevecca hasn't played at all since beating Kentucky State on Dec. 19 — which means the Trojans have had ample time to prepare for the Panthers and their eight-game winning streak.
"It's a game we fully expect them to be ready for," Osborne said. "We have to be ready to meet that challenge. They are a team that shoots the ball well and are much, much, much improved from last season."
Osborne repeated the word "much" with good reason.
The Trojans finished second to last in the G-MAC standings last season and were sent home in the opening round of the conference tournament with a 49-point loss to KWC.
This season, Trevecca has won five of its last seven games — a streak that included a victory over an Alabama-Hunstville team ranked 25th in the nation. The Trojans also defeated Truman State, which KWC lost on Nov. 29.
"They are a very good offensive team," Osborne said. "They have a lot of kids from Kentucky and Louisville on their team, and they will be excited about being close to home and playing."
Junior guard and Louisville native Byron Sanford (17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg) is the pulse of the Trojans, leading his team in nearly every statistical category. Behind him, five Trojans average between 8-12 points per game — guard Tyrell Corlew (11.9 ppg), guard Jalen Palm (11.5 ppg), guard Christopher Elliot (10.4 ppg), forward Matt Gamberoni (9.2 ppg) and guard Jacob Williams (8.0 ppg).
KWC's winning streak began back on Dec. 4 when it opened G-MAC play with a 74-71 victory against Ohio Valley. Since then, the Panthers have averaged 85 points per game with an average margin of victory of 19.6 points.
Still, Osborne sees room for improvement.
"We have played OK, but we need to play better," he said. "We are trying to get better defensively and get better in transition. The competition level is picking up."
Ken-Jah Bosley (18.6 ppg) leads the Panthers in scoring, followed by C.J. Blackwell (13.3 ppg) and Devin Langford (10.1 ppg). Langford led KWC past Oakland City on Wednesday with a game-high 28 points, giving the Panthers their fourth different leading scorer during their winning streak.
Following Saturday's game against Trevecca, the Panthers travel to Ohio on Thursday for a game against G-MAC foe Cedarville University.
