FINDLAY, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team tussled with eighth ranked University of Findlay on Thursday night. The Panthers suffered a scoring drought midway through the second half that allowed the Oilers to escape with an 81-59 victory. Deng Mayot led Wesleyan with 17 points.
 
A back-and-forth start saw the Panthers (9-16, 7-12 G-MAC) take a 21-17 lead midway through the period. Deng Mayot continued his hot start with a three-point basket that allowed Wesleyan a four-point early lead.
 
Mayot converted another three-point bucket with seven minutes left in the frame that extended the Panthers' lead to five (27-22). The Oilers (24-3, 17-2 G-MAC) responded with back-to-back-to-back three-point baskets, turning a five-point deficit into a four-point (31-27) lead.
 
Erik Bell tied the game with 35 seconds left in the half with a three-point basket, but Alex White got an offensive rebound and put-back to give Findlay a 35-33 halftime lead. The Panthers kept the game within one possession in the second half. Adam Goetz drained a three-point basket early on to pull the Panthers to within 42-40.
 
The Oilers then caught fire and scored at a prolific rate. Over the next five and a half minutes they out-scored the Panthers 19-2. The run featured nine fast break points and provided the separation needed to insure a victory. The Oilers had built 61-42 lead before Mayot broke the run with a three.
 
Mayot also pulled in six rebounds to go along with his 17 points. Zach Hopewell finished with 13 points, two assists, and two steals. Goetz added 10 points and six rebounds.
 
The Panthers will finish the season on Saturday against Hillsdale. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM CT.
 
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