ELKINS, WV. - The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team was shorthanded on Saturday, but Brandon Hatton and Amir Warnock stepped-up with career-high performances. Despite those efforts the Panthers fell 76-75 to Davis Elkins in the penultimate game of the regular season. 

A back-and-forth first half was tied at 27 with less than six minutes in the frame. A late three point basket from Donte Doleman cut into the Panthers' (14-15, 8-11 G-MAC) lead as they headed into the locker-room with a slim 36-35 advantage. 

Brandon Hatton kept finding open space on the perimeter as he dropped nine three-point baskets on the day. His three pointer early in the second half established a 46-39 Wesleyan lead. While Hatton drew the defense to the perimeter, Warnock was the presence in the post. 

After Hatton's three, Warnock scored on the next two possessions to build an 11-point lead. Four straight threes from Hatton gave the Panthers a 62-43 lead with less than 13 minutes left in the game. D&E outscored the Panthers 13-4 over the next four minutes to cut its deficit to 66-56 with 8:47 on the clock. Warnock kicked the lead back up to 12 points seconds later, but the Senators (7-17, 5-13 G-MAC) got back to within single digits a minute later. 

Chandler Redix converted a lay-up with four minutes left in the game to give the Panthers a 73-63 lead. However, the well went dry for Wesleyan as the Senators found their rhythm, going on a 13-2 run to end the game. Missed jumpers and untimely turnovers down the stretch gave D&E just enough life to win the game. With eight seconds left Jordan Mcelveen got to the rim for the game winning lay-up. The Panthers final shot was late.

Hatton scored a career-high 30 points on the day. Warnock finished with a double-double, 23 points and 14 rebounds. Both totals are career-highs. The Panthers were limited to a rotation of seven players on the afternoon. 

Wesleyan will end the regular season on Thursday with a match-up against Ohio Valley. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 7:45PM. 

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