Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Named a starter for the second straight contest — after coming off the bench each game since Nov. 29 — Langford knocked down 11-of-16 shots from the floor and 5-of-8 from 3-point range in 31 minutes of action.

"I really wasn't thinking about shooting at all," Langford said afterward. "I was thinking about playing basketball. If I got open shots, I took them. I think the credit is due to my team for getting me open and just playing basketball with me."

The Huntsville, Alabama, native had been averaging 8.9 points per game leading into Wednesday's matchup, and he scored just six points as a starter in KWC's blowout win over Brevard last week. It wasn't the second consecutive start that pushed him to play well, Langford said, but instead he just settled down and focused on helping the Panthers.

"Whenever you start, it's a boost of confidence, but I think it was more about just playing my game," he said. "Going out there and playing team basketball, just looking for the win."

The Panthers (12-3) also got 16 points and nine rebounds out of C.J. Blackwell, while Ken-Jah Bosley scored 14 of his 15 points in the second half. Basil Deveaux also scored 10 points off the bench to go with a team-high seven assists and three steals.

As a team, KWC shot 59.4 percent from the field compared to Oakland City's 42.3 percent shooting. The Panthers held an advantage in nearly every statistical category, including rebounding (42-22), assists (27-12), turnovers (14-21), points in the paint (58-22), points off turnovers (23-12), second chance points (10-3), fast break points (15-4) and bench scoring (30-11).

KWC took a 45-33 lead into halftime on Langford's layup at the buzzer, and the Panthers outscored the Mighty Oaks 52-28 in the second half behind 67 percent shooting, while they held Oakland City to just 37.5 percent from the floor.

"I think finally in the second half, we started guarding more," second-year Panthers coach Happy Osborne said. "We gave up 46 (percent) for the first half and 42 (percent) for the game, which is too much. We did finally start playing defense in the second half."

Osborne also credited Langford for taking advantage of his opportunity.

"I thought Devin Langford had one of his better games since he's been here," he said. "He shot the ball well.

"He's capable of being really good. I don't know about 11-for-16 and 5-for-8 (from 3), but he's capable of double-doubles. He's capable of being our best defender, if he works. He's capable of a lot of things."

Oakland City had five players score in double-figures, led by Ryan Helfert and Trevor Smith with 13 points each. Lawrence Kinney and Matt Lucas added 12 points apiece, and Jonathan Sulak chipped in 11 points.

The Mighty Oaks led 18-16 with 10 minutes left in the first half, but Blackwell tied the game with a jumper and Langford gave the Panthers the lead for good on a 3-pointer two minutes later. Following a decisive 12-3 run, KWC's eighth straight win was never in doubt.

"We're feeling really good right now," Langford said. "We came out sluggish in the first few minutes of the game, but every win is important. We're feeling real good. We're on a winning streak, and we just want to keep it up and play hard. Whenever we do that, we're a good team and we're tough to beat."