EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time since 1986 the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team met with the University of Evansville on Thursday night.  The Panthers concluded their exhibition slate with a 92-72 loss to the Purple Aces.

The first basket belonged to the Aces but the Panthers exploded for a 10-3 run to take a 10-5 lead.  Mohamed Abu Arisha drilled a three pointer to give Wesleyan a five point lead, their largest of the game.  The Panthers led for over six minutes of play before back-to-back three's allowed the Aces to regain the lead.

Within the first five minutes of action, Abu Arisha scored 11 of Wesleyan's 15 points including a trio of three's.

 Evansville extended its lead to double digits at the 3:34 mark of the first half.  Zavon Godwin scored the final six points of the half for the Panthers including a dunk on two straight possessions.  The Aces closed out the first half with a 13-4 run to take a 57-39 lead to the break.

Midway through the second half Adam Goetz tabbed a lay up to pull the Panthers within 13 but the first half deficit was too much for Wesleyan.

Abu Arisha tallied a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, eight of which were defensive.  Goetz reached double figures for the fifth straight game, scoring 14 points while leading the team with six assists.  Godwin recorded 13 points off the bench shooting six-of-seven from the floor. 

The Panthers return to action next week hosting the Wesleyan Thanksgiving Classic presented by the Hampton Inn by Hilton.  Four games are slated over the two-day tournament with Wesleyan taking on Salem University on Friday then Indiana University Southeast on Saturday.

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