LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In their first trip to Knights Hall since the 2012-13 season, the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team opened the 2019-20 regular season on Wednesday taking on nationally-ranked No. 3 Bellarmine University.  The Panthers fell 90-51 to the former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe in their final year as a member of NCAA Division II.
 
Wesleyan struggled early, only scoring three points in the opening nine minutes.  The Panthers utilized an 8-0 run highlighted by three's from Adam Goetz and Tyler Bezold to cut the deficit to 15.
 
Just a few minutes later Wesleyan went on a 10-2 run with Mohamed Abu Arisha recording five points and Hopewell draining a three.  The run cut the deficit to 11 with five minutes remaining in the first half.
 
The Knights took a 49-23 lead to half time after shooting nearly 68% from field goal range.


The Panthers strung together another 8-0 run midway through the second half.  Goetz sparked the run with a three before Wyatt Battaile knocked one back and Abu Arisha capped it off on a lay up with an assist from Battaile.
 
Abu Arisha finished with a team-high 13 points followed by Goetz and Erik Bell at eight.  Griffin, Abu Arisha and Hopewell each grabbed four rebounds.  Griffin dished out five assists while Goetz paced the team with two steals.
 
Wesleyan shot 40% on the night including 31% from beyond the arc.  The Panthers bench edged the Knight's 34 to 33.
 
The Panthers home opener is slated for this weekend, hosting Urbana at 4 pm on Saturday at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
 
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