OWENSBORO, KY. – A late run in the final five minutes of the contest lifted Lake Erie College over the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team. The Panthers' offense stalled down the stretch, allowing the Storm to pick-up a 72-63 win at the historic Sportscenter. Mohamed Abu Arisha tallied another double-double in the process, his fifth of the season.
 
The Panthers (7-11, 5-7 G-MAC) erased a first half deficit with precision ball movement, getting open looks on the perimeter, and high percentage shots from under the basket. Wesleyan trailed 34-31 at the break after the Storm (12-7, 7-4 G-MAC) forced a turnover and basket in the final seconds of the period.
 
Wesleyan came out firing in the second half. Adam Goetz tied the game at 36 two minutes into the frame with a three-point basket. Moments later Deng Mayot did the same to even the score at 39. The three-point well had yet to run dry as Erik Bell gave the Panthers a 45-43 lead with 13 minutes left in the game with another three-point basket.
 
In a game featured 14 ties and five lead changes, the Panthers took a 54-48 lead at the 11-minute mark as Goetz and Bell splashed-in back-to-back three-point baskets. The Strom were forced to call timeout to slow the shooting barrage.

Wesleyan continued to lead into the final stages of the game. Abu Arisha converted a pair of free-throws with 5:16 left, giving the Panthers a five-point edge, 60-55. Lake Erie tied the game at 60 with less than four minutes on the clock and finished the contest on a 17-3 run over the final five minutes.
 
The Storm took advantage of their chances as they converted on 16 of 20 free throws to the Panthers three of six conversion rate. In addition, LEC outscored Wesleyan 22-7 on points off turnovers. The Storm committed nine turnovers to the Panthers 15.
 
Abu Arisha finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Goetz finished with 16 points, making five of six from the arc. Goetz also pulled-in four rebounds and dished out five assists. Bell added nine points.
 
The Panthers will host Cedarville on Thursday, February 7^th to continue the homestand. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 7:45 PM CT.
 
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