Game notesThe Panthers finally got some much-needed rest this week, but now they're getting back to work.
After last playing in a win against Oakland City on Jan. 28, the Kentucky Wesleyan men's basketball team returns to action against Great Midwest Athletic Conference foe Trevecca on Saturday afternoon at the Trojan Fieldhouse in Nashville.
"We haven't played in forever," KWC coach
Happy Osborne said. "That's going to be a factor against Trevecca. I don't know of any place else in the world where you go 10 days in between games in January and February, but that's what it is. The good news is I think our guys are fresh."
"Now we travel to Trevecca to play one of the best 3-point shooting teams in our conference and maybe in the country."
The Panthers (16-5, 5-2 in G-MAC) look to claim a season sweep following a 77-71 win over the Trojans on Jan. 10 in Owensboro.
Ken-Jah Bosley,
C.J. Blackwell and
Devin Langford combined for 47 points, and
Tre Boutilier added 11 points off the bench as KWC shot nearly 50 percent from the field.
The Trojans (8-11, 4-3) are led by 6-foot junior guard Byron Sanford, who averages 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Other double-figure scorers include 6-10 junior center Matt Gambeoni (10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds) and 6-4 junior guard Tyrell Corlew (10.3 points. 3.2 rebounds), while 6-3 freshman forward Jacob Williams (8.9 points) and 6-3 junior guard Christopher Elliot (7.7 points) round out the starting lineup.
"We've got to find a way to keep Byron Sanford out of the lane, a young man from Louisville, Kentucky that I'm very impressed with," Osborne said. "For them inside, Gambeoni, left-handed, he's as strong as a bull in there. It's always a tough place to play and against coach Sam Harris, who does a great job there. We know we have our hands full Saturday afternoon."
Though KWC won the previous matchup, Osborne said there's no guarantee the second time around.
"What you do the first time around doesn't have anything to do with the second," Osborne said. "We've got to do a great job in transition against them. We've got to locate their 3-point shooters, yet we've got to be able to help some in the post too. They're the ultimate defensive challenge. Offensively, for us, we've just got to take care of the ball and get the shots we want."
Bosley said he'd like to see an improvement in the Panthers' perimeter defense from last time, as well.
"They shot 9-for-20 from 3 the last time we played them," Bosley said. "We beat them by six, but that's close to 50 percent, and nine 3s is a lot. We're trying to limit 3s and limit transition, and if we make them earn stuff in the halfcourt, then we'll be successful."
The extended break between games was something the team needed, Bosley added, but he feels KWC is ready for a strong close to the season.
"It's definitely good for us right now," Bosley said. "We're just trying to save legs for the rest of this conference run. The days off definitely helped, but now it's back to work and time to win the conference."
