OWENSBORO, KY. – In a match-up between two of the Great Midwest's top teams, the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team suffered its first G-MAC loss of the season to Cedarville on Monday night. The Yellow Jackets picked-up an 80-69 victory over the Panthers at the historic Sportscenter.
 
The Panthers (3-6, 2-1 GMAC) fought back from a double-digit deficit in the second, bringing the contest to one possession late. The Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-0 G-MAC) connected on clutch three-point baskets in the final four minutes to upend Wesleyan.  
 
The Yellow Jackets led 36-30 after the first half and quickly extended their lead to 14 within the first two minutes of the second period. The Yellow Jackets scored the first eight points of the second half, taking a 44-30 lead. Adam Goetz and Zach Hopewell provided the response as they each scored four points in an 8-0 rally, bringing the Panthers back within six, 44-38.
 
Cedarville went back up to 11, but the Panthers brought the deficit back down to five points multiple times. The Yellow Jackets kept Wesleyan at arm's length until Goetz converted a lay-up with four minutes left. Goetz's bucket brought Wesleyan to within 65-62, but Quinton Green, as the shot clock was running down, buried a three-point basket on the next possession to double the lead.
 
The Panthers missed on their chances to get closer and with two minutes left, Branden Maughmer converted on a step-back three-point basket to increase the lead to 71-63. Wesleyan was forced to foul thereafter and the Yellow Jackets provided no more openings.
 
Wesleyan made three of 10 three-point baskets in the first half while shooting 36% from the field in the first 20 minutes. Cedarville led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but went into the locker-room with a 36-30 lead.
 
Goetz finished with 25 points. It marks the fourth time in the last seven games where Goetz has scored 20 points or more. Hopewell added 16 points while Stew Currie recorded 10 points on the night. Wyatt Battaile finished with career-highs with five assists and nine rebounds. Between Jo Griffin and Battaile, the duo combined for 11 of the Panthers 16 assists.
 
The Panthers will play an exhibition game on Tuesday night at 7 PM against Western Kentucky. Wesleyan will back in action on Thursday against Trevecca Nazarene. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 7 PM.