CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team opened a much anticipated 2018-19 campaign with an exhibition game against Xavier University on Thursday evening. The Panthers' roster featured 14 new players and at times showed the efficiency expected from new Head Coach Drew Cooper. Wesleyan came away with a 98-69 loss to the Musketeers as Adam Goetz erupted for 17 second half points and finished with a team-high 23.
 
Tarik Dixon kept the Panthers close in the first half. Dixon tallied 12 points in the first frame and his timely baskets kept the deficit within single digits throughout the first 11 minutes of the game. Wesleyan trailed 27-18 after Goetz's jumper with 8:33 left in the first half.
 
The Musketeers' lead grew to as many as 20 points with three minutes left in the first half. Hunter Noffsinger buried two free-throws late in the frame to cut the Xavier's lead to 15 before a last second bucket allowed the Musketeers a 52-35 advantage.
 
Deng Mayot's dunk within the first five minutes of the second half trimmed the Xavier lead to 61-48. The 13-point differential would be the closest the Panthers would get throughout the remainder of the contest. The Musketeers led 72-56 with 10 minutes remaining. Goetz's fast-break lay-up with six minutes left got the Panthers to 78-64.
 
The final six minutes belonged to Xavier as they rattled off 15 straight points after the Goetz lay-up. The Musketeers shot 59 percent from the field for the night.
 
Goetz made 10 of his 13 attempts to finish with 23 points. Dixon added 15 points and three assists. Mayot also finished in double figures as he recorded 11 points.
 
The Panthers will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky on Saturday to play another exhibition game against Western Kentucky. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM CT.
 
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