OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team got production throughout the line-up on Saturday. The Panthers returned from Christmas break to defeat Alice Lloyd College 87-55 at the historic Sportscenter. Mohamed Abu Arisha recorded a double-double while Erik Bell orchestrated the offense with eight assists.
 
A sluggish start by the Panthers did not last long as Wesleyan found its shooting touch and sprinted to the finish. The Panthers scored 23 of their 40 first half points in the final nine minutes of the period. In that span, Wesleyan turned a three-point lead into an 11 advantage at the break, 40-29.
 
The Panthers led 24-20 with seven and half minutes left in the half and over the next three minutes exploded with 12-2 run. The rally ended with a three-point basket by Abu Arisha followed by a put-back lay-up by Tarik Dixon.
 
The lead expanded to 15-points with three minutes left in the half on Dixon's three-point bucket. The Panthers converted 45% from the field in the first half while the Eagles (6-9) executed at a 35% rate.
 
Wesleyan made 10 three-point baskets in the second half on 18 attempts. Five of those three-point jumpers came in four-minute span in the middle of the second half. Adam Goetz connected on three, three-point baskets in a 21-5 run that started with 12:25 left in the game. Goetz finished the rally with 11 of the Panthers 21 points and helped Wesleyan build a 29-point lead, 74-45.
 
The Panthers coasted to the finish, maintaining a 25+ point lead. Goetz finished with 23 points and six assists. Abu Arisha added 10 points and 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Dixon added 14 points and three assists off the bench. Deng Mayot recorded 12 points and nine rebounds. Bell had seven points and 12 rebounds to go along with his eight assists.
 
The Panthers will return to the Sportscenter on January 3^rd to host Trevecca Nazarene. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 PM.
 
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.