Box Score It took a fourth quarter rally, but the Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team won their 2015-2016 season opener over Ferris State on Friday night in Nashville by a score of 64-55. The Panthers (1-0) prepared for their first game of the regular season last week by playing Austin Peay and Southern Illinois in exhibition action.
The game started off slow paced and was back and forth, with Ferris State leading 15-14 after the opening quarter. In the second quarter, the Bulldogs began to build a small lead that Kentucky Wesleyan was unable to close in on before the half. After struggling to hit shots consistently, Ferris State went into halftime with a 32-24 advantage.
In the third quarter, Ferris State used their size down low to continue to control the lead and the game. However,
Brittany Wells scored seven straight points that brought Kentucky Wesleyan back into the game and cut the lead to two at 38-36. Kentucky Wesleyan took the lead momentarily late in the quarter, but Ferris State remained in front after the third with a 45-42 lead.
The fourth quarter started off with the Bulldogs continuing to pace the game and the lead. Ferris State led 51-48 with five minutes left. However, the final five minutes were a completely different story. The Panthers would go on a 16-4 run to close the game, as their offense began to flow more consistently. Wells hit a huge three from the corner to put the Panthers up 59-55 with less than a minute left.
The Panthers shot 88% from the free throw line, and would go on to put the game away for good after knocking down their free throws in the final 49 seconds.Kentucky Wesleyan held the Bulldogs to just 10 points in the fourth quarter thanks to their stingy defense, and was able to force several turnovers with their full court pressure defense. They forced Ferris State into committing 28 turnovers on the night.
The Panthers offense was balanced throughout the whole contest.
Brittany Wells led Kentucky Wesleyan with 17 points while also recording four rebounds.
Jennifer Walker-Crawford also hit double figures with 11 points.
Erin Dorn,
Bria Wright, and
Jill Jones all collected eight points each. Dorn led KWC with seven rebounds, and Jones dished out a team-high two assists.
Kentucky Wesleyan will play again tomorrow against Findlay at 3 p.m.
