SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – It was a battle of the unbeaten on Tuesday night in Springfield with the Kentucky Wesleyan College women's basketball pulling out a 77-66 victory over Great Lakes Valley Conference foe University of Illinois Springfield.

Wesleyan came out firing, shooting nearly 56% in the first quarter to take a 23-16 lead.  A strong Panther defense held the Prairie Stars to just eight shots in the first ten minutes while forcing nine turnovers.

The first basket of the second frame gave the Panthers their first double digit lead of the game.  After Cali Nolot recorded a steal, Leah Richardson knocked back a three on the fast break.  Illinois Springfield trimmed the deficit to five but Wesleyan separated themselves with an 8-0 run to take a 41-33 lead to the break.

The Panthers lead by at least eight points throughout the entire third quarter.  Keelie Lamb drained a three in the final minute to put Wesleyan ahead by 19 which would be their largest lead of the game.

Illinois Springfield pulled within six with just under five minutes remaining but Tahlia Walton converted a pair of three throws and Lead Richardson made a lay up to give the Panthers the double digit lead back and seal the 77-66 victory, handing the Prairie Stars their first loss of the season.

Lamb finished with a team-high 16 points while Walton contributed 15 points off the bench.  Lamb led the Panthers with seven rebounds while Nolot was right behind at six.  Lamb and Lily Skye Grimes both dished out four assists while Jordyn Barga recorded 3 steals.

Wesleyan scored 19 points off of 23 turnovers while dominating the paint with 42 points.  The Panthers bench outscored Springfield's by a tally of 37-12.

The Panthers return home this weekend to host another former GLVC foe.  Wesleyan takes on Missouri-St. Louis at 1 pm CT on Saturday at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

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