OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball fought hard for their eighth straight victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Michigan Tech. 80-78. The Huskies drained a three pointer on the final possession of the game, but the would-be buzzer beater was one second too late, allowing Kentucky Wesleyan to hold on to their win streak in nail biting fashion.
The Panthers improve to 10-2 on the season while Ken-Jah Bosley continues his climb in the record books. The senior guard claimed sole possession of fourth all-time with 182 career three-pointers. He currently ranks 7th in career points with 1,795 and is 32 points shy of 6th. In career free throws, Bosley sits in third place with 506 and is six shy of second.
Kentucky Wesleyan jumped out to a 9-3 lead less than four minutes into the game with Jordan Jacks, Bosley, Sam Williams and Adam Stanford each contributing to the early lead. The Huskies would take the lead at the 12:49 mark and wouldn't surrender it until four minutes later when Williams drained a shot from downtown. The game was tied at 23 a piece with just under seven to go in the half, and the Panthers would hold a steady lead until the break, where they led 37-33.
Michigan Tech utilized a three-point play early in the second half to take a two-point lead. The Panthers bounced back and controlled the majority of the second frame, but found themselves in a two-point deficit with 1:13 remaining. Jacks notched a pair of free throws to tie the game at 78 with 54 seconds remaining. The two teams traded turnovers over the next 40 seconds. With three seconds remaining, Stanford made a lay-up to take a 80-78 lead. The Huskies were able to score a three-pointer, but it was ruled after the buzzer, as the Panthers barely escaped with the win.
Bosley led the Panthers with 21 points while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists. Charles Foster tabbed 13 points off of six field-goals, while Michael Vigilance scored 11 points and tabbed two blocks. Stanford was the fourth Panther to score in double digits, reaching 10 points and shooting a perfect five-for-five. Kentucky Wesleyan's bench outscored Michigan Tech's by a tally of 29-0. The Panthers held a slight advantage in points in the paint, 34 to 30.
The Panthers will be back in action on Jan. 5 as they head to Vienna, W.V. to take on Ohio Valley in their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference game of the season at 6:30 pm. They'll go up against Cedarville on Jan. 7 at 3:15 pm before returning home on Jan. 12 to host Auburn-Montgomery.
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