OWENSBORO, Ky. – After an extended Holiday Break, the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team returned to the hardwood on Saturday to host Mars Hill University in a non-conference affair. Defense spurred the offense for the Panthers in taking an 82-74 victory, their sixth straight win while capping-off an unbeaten month of December.
 
The Lions (2-10) knocked-down half of their attempts from the field in the opening period to take a 39-38 lead. Dakota Quinn swatted five of those misses away from the rim in the first half as the Panthers (9-5) converted at 47% from the floor.
 
The Lions' lead grew to 46-40 early in the second half, but the Panthers quickly narrowed the margin. A six-point run later in the frame built a 55-50 Wesleyan lead. Rasheide Bell scored four of the Panthers' points in the run.
 
The advantage dwindled to 59-57 midway through the final frame when a block by Daniel Dzierzawski resulted in a fast break bucket by Erik Bell. On the following possession a steal by Dzierzawski gave Bell another easy run to the basket to return a six-point lead. The Lions used their final timeout to slow the rally.
 
Two free-throws by Austin Gilyard disrupted the run, but Dzierzawski answered with a three-point basket. An offensive rebound and dunk by Quinn built a 68-59 lead. The 11-2 rally was capped off by Dzierzawski with another steal and lay-up, building a double-digit lead. The spurt lasted just over three minutes. Quinn continued to control the airways as he notched two more blocks in the momentum shifting run.
 
The Panthers' lead grew to as big as 14-points with five minutes left. Without any timeouts left, the Lions slowed down the stretch. Wesleyan utilized free-throws and high percentage shots in exhausting the clock to victory.
 
Dzierzawski finished 24 points for the third consecutive game, matching a career-high. He also dished out four assists and collected two steals. Amir Warnock was in foul trouble early, but made his presence in the second half, scoring nine of his 15 points in the final 20 minutes. He also pulled in seven rebounds.
 
Quinn added 10 points and grabbed six rebounds on the afternoon. He also recorded a career-high with seven blocked shots which improved his G-MAC leading total to 31 on year. After missing the last few games due to injury, Brandon Hatton returned to score 11 points.
 
The Panthers will host Walsh University on Thursday as Great Midwest action returns in the New Year. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 7:45PM.
 
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