OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team returned from Thanksgiving break with a 73-58 loss to Wheeling University. The Cardinals erased a 10-point halftime deficit to emerge with their fifth consecutive victory to start the season.
Offense came easy for the Panthers (1-4) in the first half as they connected at nearly 57% of their shots from the floor.
Zach Hopewell capped off a 9-1 run early in the first half, giving Wesleyan a 14-6 lead. The Cardinals (5-0) answered with three straight three-point baskets to turn the eight-point deficit into a one-point lead, 15-14.
Off the made three,
Adam Goetz quickly moved down the floor to end the rally by getting to the basket for a lay-up. Hopewell connected on another three midway through the period to give the Panthers a 21-18 lead.
The Cardinals' three-point shooting kept them alive in the first half as they held a 26-25 lead with just over six minutes left in the frame.
Tyler Bezold started an 11-0 run with a three-point bucket while Ben Sission ended the run the with a fast break lay-up. The Panthers outscored the Cardinals 13-2 to end the half as Hopewell gave Wesleyan a 10-point lead (38-28) with a bucket to end.
The Panthers' shooting from the perimeter took a turn in the second half as they connected on one of 10. With 10 minutes left in the game, the Panthers lead was at 51-45 after
Stew Currie's dunk. However, over the next seven minutes the Cardinals turned the tables on Wesleyan, outscoring the Panthers 20-4.
Wheeling held a 10-point lead with three minutes left in the contest and continued to grow their advantage to the finish. The Cardinals made over half their shots in the second half as the Panthers scored 20 points in the frame.
Jo Griffin finished the game with 11 points and five rebounds. Hopewell added 10 points while Goetz pulled-in nine rebounds and finished with six points.
The Panthers will host day two of the Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Hampton Inn by Hilton on Saturday. Action at the Sportscenter will begin at noon. Wesleyan will host Auburn Montgomery in game two of the day at 2:15 PM.
