NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team opened the new year with an 80-59 loss at Walsh University on Thursday night for their second Great Midwest Athletic Conference setback of the season.

The Panthers opened the game with a 7-2 run that was capped off with a three from Adam Goetz.  At the 12 minute mark Goetz knocked back a pair of three's to give Wesleyan a 15-7 lead which would be their largest lead of the first half.

The Cavs pulled within two with seven minutes until the break.  Back-to-back three's from Wyatt Battaile put Wesleyan back ahead by five.  Walsh scored on two straight possessions to tie the game at 25 before Battaile unleashed another three to regain the lead.

Goetz notched a lay up in the final minute, giving Wesleyan a 30-27 lead at the break after shooting 40% from the floor.  Battaile finished the first half 3-5 from beyond the arc while Goetz recorded 12 points.

Walsh opened the second half with a 12-2 run to take an eight point lead.  Jo Griffin halted the Cavs' momentum with a fast break three on an assist from Battaile.  The Cavs scored on four straight possessions to take a 12-point lead before the two teams combined to drain four three's in less than 70 seconds.  Battaile and Griffin each knocked one back to keep the deficit at nine.

The Cavs pulled away with an 8-0 run and went on to shoot nearly 75% in the second half en route to the win.

Goetz paced the Panthers with 14 points while Battaile scored 12 off the bench.  Zach Hopewell also scored in double figures with 10.  Mohamed Abu Arisha recorded a team-high eight rebounds.

The Panthers look to bounce back on Saturday, taking on Malone at 2 pm CT in Canton, Ohio.

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