COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team edged Ohio Dominican University 73-70 on Thursday, earning their second Great Midwest Athletic Conference victory.
Daniel Dzierzawski scored a career high 23 points in the Panthers fifth win of the season.
Kentucky Wesleyan wasted no time getting on the board, building up a 10-0 lead just over three minutes in with
Rasheide Bell and
Evan Milligan tabbing five points a piece. Ohio Dominican pulled within one but were unable to take the lead as Kentucky Wesleyan led the entire first half, taking a 37-29 lead to the break.
Ohio Dominican opened the second half with a 17-8 run over the first six minutes to take a 46-45 lead, their first lead of the game. The Panthers extended their lead to nine midway through the half but Kentucky Wesleyan clawed back with a 10-0 run of their own to take a 60-59 lead with eight minutes remaining.
Neither team was able to get a lead more than three points in the final five minutes. A jump shot from Bell and a lay up from Dzierzawski gave Kentucky Wesleyan a 69-68 lead with 2:28 remaining. With a one-point lead, Dzierzawski went to the line and nailed both free throws to give Wesleyan a 71-68 lead with 21 seconds remaining. With six seconds left, Ohio Dominican missed a three pointer to tie the game but an untimely foul sent the shooter to the line. The first two were made to make it a one-point game but the potential game-tying free throw was missed, sealing the win for Kentucky Wesleyan.
Dzierzawski led the team with 23 points off the bench, nailing both shots from behind the arc.
Rasheide Bell tabbed 15 points along with eight rebounds, two steals and two assists.
Dakota Quinn led the team with three blocks and eight rebounds.
The Panthers return to action on Saturday as they head to Cedarville, Ohio to take on the Yellow Jackets of Cedarville University at 3 pm CT.
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