OWENSBORO, Ky. – The new era of Kentucky Wesleyan College basketball began on Saturday afternoon with a win over Kentucky State. First year Head Coach Drew Cooper saw the Panthers pick-up an 85-63 victory at the Sportscenter as the offense exploded in the second half, outscoring the Thorobreds 53-34 in the final 20 minutes.
 
The Panthers (1-0) got a boost from Deng Mayot who scored 21 first half points. Early turnovers by Wesleyan limited offensive possessions. The Panthers were forced into 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. Coupled with offensive rebounds by the Thorobreds (0-1), KSU took seven more shots in the first half which fueled a three-point contest at the break, 32-29 in favor of the Panthers.
 
Wesleyan put together a flurry of points in the final 90 seconds of the half as Erik Bell buried a three-point basket to tie the game at 27, Mayot gave the Panthers a 30-27 lead with three on the following possession. After a KSU turnover on the in-bounds pass, Mayot slammed home two more points, but a late lay-up by Kevin Hayes ended the run and cut the Panthers' lead to three points at the break.
 
In the second half, the Panthers converted 10 of 17 three-point baskets. Tyler Bezold started the frame with one of his own. Wesleyan scored five quick points to start the half to increase their lead to eight points.
 
As good as Mayot was in the first half, Adam Goetz was equally as good in the second half. Goetz scored eight points in a two minute stretch that gave the Panthers a 45-35 lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
 
After a Thorobred basket, Mohamed Abu Arisha and Goetz converted back-to-back three-point baskets to build a 51-37 lead. Bell's jumper with 10 minutes left gave Wesleyan a 62-43 lead. However, KSU followed with a 9-0 run to get within 10 points with seven minutes left.
 
The tense moments quickly evaporated as the Panthers answered with an 11-0 run that extended the lead to 21. Goetz gave Wesleyan its biggest lead of the game, 81-55, after a three-point basket with just over three minutes left.
 
The Panthers coasted to the finish thereafter as Goetz scored all 19 of his points in the second half. He also dished out seven assists.  Mayot recorded a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds.  Bell also finished in double figures as he added 10 points.
 
The Panthers will host the preseason No. 1 team on Wednesday in Bellarmine University. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 7 PM CT.
 
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