OWENSBORO, KY. – A long awaited season opener brought a site of normalcy on Tuesday evening as the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team tipped-off the season with an 81-64 victory over Campbellsville- Harrodsburg. Wesleyan saw two players post double-doubles while Zach Hopewell finished with a game-high 18 points at the historic Sportscenter.
 
The Panthers (1-0) shot 56% from the floor including converting on six of 13 three-point shots in the opening half. Wesleyan took a 45-31 lead into the locker-room as Wyatt Battaile scored 13 points in the opening half while Jamil Wilson conducted the offense five assists.
 
Wesleyan held a slim 17-15 lead with 12:27 left it the opening half when the Panthers went on a 10-0 run. Battaile scored four points in the rally, helping Wesleyan build a 27-15 lead. The Panthers led by as many as 16 in the first half.
 
A quick start to the second half allowed the Panthers to extend the lead to 18 points, 52-34. However, the Pioneers mounted a comeback, scoring eight quick points in less than three minutes. The lead shrunk to 63-58 with less than eight minutes left in the game as the Pioneers mounted a 10-2 run that continued to cut in the Panthers' advantage.
 
Battaile came out of the media timeout to make two free-throws and start a 15-2 run that put the contest out of reach. Hopewell scored five points in the run while Tre Cobbs added four. Over the final seven minutes the Panthers' defense held the Pioneers to six points.
 
Campbellsville-Harrodsburg finished the game shooting 42% from the field while the Panthers converted at 47%. Wesleyan distributed the ball to the tune of 22 assists on 30 made field goals.
 
Hopewell finished the game with 18 points while Battaile recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sasha Sukhanov also produced a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Panthers' big man also collected four blocks. Cobbs made his debut with 16 points and five assists. Wilson made perhaps the biggest impact as he dished out 11 assists on the night.
 
The Panthers will travel to Murray, Kentucky for a pair of exhibition contests against Murray State. Tip-off on Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 7 PM.
 
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