EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team renewed their rivalry with former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe University of Southern Indiana on Monday night, falling 82-63 in the first ever game in Screaming Eagle Arena.

Wesleyan took their first lead of the game seven minutes in as Erik Bell dished a lay up to Zach Hopewell.  It was back and forth from there as neither team was able to establish more than a three-point lead.

The Panthers closed out the final three minutes of the half with an 11-2 run including back-to-back three's from Nathan Boyle on the only two shots he took in the first half.  Adam Goetz drained a three and a lay up at the buzzer to cap off the run.

Wesleyan's defense stood tall in the closing minutes, holding the Screaming Eagles scoreless on three straight possessions and allowing the Panthers to take a 37-31 lead to the half.

The Panthers shot 55.6% in the first half to Southern Indiana's 43.8%.  Goetz recorded 18 points in the first frame and accounted for four of Wesleyan's seven three-pointers.

A massive run from the Screaming Eagles that saw them score on nine straight possessions gave them their largest lead of the game at 21 points midway through the second half.  Jo Griffin halted the run with a fast break jumper.  Southern Indiana went on to shoot 67.9% in the second half to take the first meeting in three seasons.

Goetz finished with a career high 27 points shooting 11-21 with five three's.

Nick Fort paced the team with seven rebounds, four of which were offensive.  Bell dished out a team-high four assists while five Panthers recorded a steal.  The Panthers edged Southern Indiana in the paint, 28 to 24.

Wesleyan returns home on Wednesday to host Oakland City.  Tip off is set for 7 pm CT at The Owensboro Sportscenter.

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