OWENSBORO, Ky. – History was made at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Wednesday night as the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team defeated Cedarville, 76-68, in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup. Senior Ken-Jah Bosley eclipsed 2,000 points, and the Panthers tied a program record with their 21st straight win. Nationally ranked No. 13 Kentucky Wesleyan improves to 23-2 overall and remains perfect in conference play at 10-0 while the Yellow Jackets drop to 11-14 on the season and 3-7 in the G-MAC.
Bosley drained a free throw in the closing seconds to reach 2,000 points exactly. He is the first player in the G-MAC to reach the milestone. He currently ranks fifth in all-time scoring and trails George Tinsley by 14 points.
With the victory, the Panthers won their 21st straight game, tying the record set by the 1968 NCAA Championship team under Head Coach Bob Daniels. Kentucky Wesleyan currently has the fourth longest winning streak in all of the NCAA, and also boasts the current longest home game winning streak at 44 games.
Kentucky Wesleyan was off to a slow start, with their largest lead of the first half coming at five points. Cedarville scored seven unanswered points to tie the game at 17 at the 9:01 mark, and went on to take a 32-26 lead at the break. The Panthers had a shooting percentage of 37.5% in the first half to Cedarville's 39.4%.
An 8-0 run to open the second frame put the Panthers ahead by two, with Sam Williams scoring six including one dunk. Moments later the Yellow Jackets tied it at 34 but it was all Kentucky Wesleyan from there. Jordan Jacks notched a lay up at the 12:18 mark to put the Panthers ahead by 10, their first double digit lead of the game.
Seven minutes later, Jacks scored another lay up to give them their largest lead of the game at 17 points. Cedarville came within six with 1:03 remaining but three free throws in the closing minute allowed Kentucky Wesleyan to hold on for the win.
Jacks finished with a double double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Bosley, Malek Harris and Charles Foster each tabbed 11 points while Harris grabbing nine boards. Foster led the team with six points while Jacks led the way with four steals. Hatton shot four-for-six from behind the arc for 14 points while Sam Williams recorded 12 points.
The Panthers will remain home this weekend as they host Ohio Valley in their final home G-MAC game of the season. Saturday will mark senior day for the current seniors as well as alumni day. The women's game will start at 1 pm, with a senior day ceremony to follow. The men's game will tip off at approximately 3:15 pm with a special alumni recognition ceremony during halftime as Kentucky Wesleyan welcomes back over 150 members of the men's and women's basketball programs.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.
