Box Score
Kentucky Wesleyan won its first game of the 2016-17 season with a 72-66 wire-to-wire victory on Saturday evening. The Panthers defeated UMSL in the final game of the weekend of the Pops Duncan Classic. The Panthers shot 40 percent from the field and nailed eight three pointers in the win.
Kentucky Wesleyan got off to a quick start on Saturday evening. The Panthers jumped out to an 11-2 advantage in the opening minutes. Jennifer Walker-Crawford knocked down a three and a jump shot, and Shayla Wright converted two layups.
Late in the first, Brittany Wells drilled a three pointer to put the Panthers well in control at 20-7. KWC led 22-10 at the end of the quarter.
A balanced attack on offense and steady defense kept the Panthers ahead 39-31 at the break.
In the second half, Kentucky Wesleyan stayed the course. Walker-Crawford and Jasmine Shelt hit back-to-back three pointers to put KWC up 49-36. After leading 51-38, UMSL went on a 7-0 run to close the lead down to 51-45. The Tritons cut the gap down to five at 55-50 heading into the fourth.
A slow start in the fourth quarter allowed UMSL to make it a one-point game at 56-55 with seven minutes left.
Walker-Crawford connected on back-to-back layups, one off of a steal to put the Panthers up six with under four minutes left.
In the closing minutes, the Panthers went to the free throw line and kept the score and game out of reach for UMSL.
Brittany Wells had the hot hand once again for KWC. Wells scored a career-high 29 points on Friday, and added to it with 21 points tonight to lead all scorers in the contest.
Jennifer Walker-Crawford collected 18 points and four rebounds. Shayla Wright also finished in the double figures scoring column with 11 points. Wright also brought in four rebounds. Senior Bria Wright led the Panthers with three assists.
Freshmen Emma Wolfe, Keelie Lamb, and Jasmine Shelt each tallied five points. Sydney Morabito chipped in with four points.
The Panthers will play their first home game a week from today against Cumberlands (TN) at 1 p.m. at the Sportscenter.
