OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team withstood a three-point onslaught on Thursday evening to come away with a victory. The Panthers erased a six-point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat Davis and Elkins 92-89 at the historic Sportscenter. Cameron Cartwright posted a career-high off the bench to help boost Wesleyan to the Great Midwest victory.
 
With 12-minutes left in the game, Cartwright buried a three-point basket to give the Panthers their biggest lead of the night, 67-56. The Senators kept answering with three-point baskets of their own. Edmund Parker highlighted the D&E offense as he buried his first 10 three-point attempts.
 
Zach Hopewell did hit best to keep the Senators (6-19, 3-14 G-MAC) at a distance as his three-point basket with eight minutes left gave the Panthers (9-14, 7-10 G-MAC) a 78-69 advantage. The Senators answered with a 15-0 run over the next five minutes, taking an 84-78. Marcus Friend ended the rally with a mid-range jumper, giving D&E the 84-78 lead with three minutes left.
 
Wesleyan would not go quietly as they played aggressive defensive, drawing fouls to attempt to get D&E to foul line and away from the three-point line. The Senators would go on to make 14 of 23 three-point shots on the night. Deng Mayot brought the deficit two four, while Adam Goetz rolled off a screen to hit a three that cut the D&E lead to 84-83. A missed front-end of a one-and-one by Logan Phillips gave the Panthers possession with 90 seconds left. After a scramble for the ball, Erik Bell found Mohamed Abu Arisha nearly unguarded under the basket for a go-ahead lay-up.
 
The drought from the foul line continued for the Senators as they were forced into fouling. Tyler Bezold returned the lead to three, 87-84. After another stop Abu Arisha boosted the lead two more points (89-84) as he converted a pair from the line with 47 seconds left. Goetz made three of the last four free throws to help preserve a win.
 
The first half was full of offense as the lead changed hands throughout. Midway through the period the Senators started to edge in front. After shooting over 60% from the field, D&E went into the locker-room with a 46-40 lead. The Panthers came out in the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 49-46 lead. With the game tied at 52, Wesleyan sprinted out to an 11-point lead after a 15-4 rally.
 
Cartwright scored a career high 20 points off the bench. He also set career-highs in minutes (24), made baskets (7), and made three-point baskets (6). Goetz finished with 21 points while Abu Arisha added 14 points and six rebounds. In total, five players reached double figures as Hopewell recorded 13 points and five rebounds. Deng Mayot collected 12 points and five rebounds.
 
The Panthers will host Alderson Broaddus on Saturday in the final home game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 PM CT.
 
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