NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team overcame an eight-point deficit with seven minutes remaining on Monday night, defeating Trevecca Nazarene University 74-70 in the two teams lone matchup of the season.
 
Back to back jumpers from Malek Harris and Daniel Dzierzawski followed by a three pointer from Rasheide Bell allowed the Panthers to take a 9-4 lead less than five minutes into the game.  Kentucky Wesleyan held the lead for over 10 minutes before three pointer put the Trojans ahead by two.
 
The Panthers edged Trevecca 10-9 in the final four minutes of the half to take a 35-32 lead to the break.  Trevecca pulled within one but Brandon Hatton nailed a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to give the Panthers a three-point lead.
 
Trevecca opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take a five-point lead.  The Trojans utilized a 7-0 run over a three minute span to jump out to a 60-52 lead with seven minutes remaining.
 
Rasheide Bell broke the Trojans' run with a pair of free throws then forced a turnover and found Harris under the basket to cut the deficit to four.  Dakota Quinn continued his defensive dominance with a block, then moments later converted a three-point play with a dunk and a free throw to pull the Panthers within one.
 
The final four minutes of action saw seven lead changes.  Trailing by one, Hatton went five-for-six from the charity stripe to give Kentucky Wesleyan a four-point lead.  With four seconds remaining Trevecca pulled within two with a jumper but Amir Warnock nailed a pair of free throws to seal the win for the Panthers.
 
Daniel Dzierzawski was one of four Panthers to score double figures, tabbing 17 points.  Harris flirted with a double-double, recording 15 points and 9 rebounds.  Rasheide Bell tallied 13 points with Hatton scoring 12.  Bell, Hatton and Chandler Redix each dished out four assists while Quinn and Redix tabbed two blocks a piece.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan returns home for a pair of Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchups this week.  The Panthers host Davis & Elkins on Thursday at 7:45 pm CT followed by Alderson Broaddus on Saturday at 3:15 pm CT.

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