HILLSDALE, Mich. – Behind a strong second half the Hillsdale College men's basketball team defeated Kentucky Wesleyan College 72-58 on Saturday. The contest served as Wesleyan's season opening contest in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and their first action in three weeks. Both Tre Cobbs and Jamil Wilson shouldered the offensive load for the Panthers in the loss.
 
The Chargers (3-0, 3-0 GMAC) controlled the game early getting easy baskets in the paint. Nine minutes into the game Hillsdale held a 20-13 lead, but the Panthers mounted a comeback. Through the next six minutes Wesleyan outscored the Charges 12-2, taking a 25-22 lead. Wyatt Battaile and Tre Cobbs bookended the run with three-point baskets.
 
The Panthers led by as many as six points, 31-25 with a minute left in the half and went into the locker-room with a 31-29 lead. Wilson paced the Panthers with 10 first half points.
 
Hillsdale took control in the second half outscoring the Panthers 21-8, taking a 50-39 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. The Panthers briefly got the deficit into single digits, but the Chargers pulled away.
 
Wesleyan's shooting suffered in the second half as they converted at 35% from the field in the frame. Foul trouble also caught up to the Panthers as Sasha Sukhanov and Ben Sisson each fouled out of the game.
 
Cobbs came off the bench to lead the Panthers in scoring with 16 points. Wilson finished with 14 points and three steals. Stew Currie gave Wesleyan 20 minutes off the bench to score six points and collect six rebounds.
 
The Panthers will end 2020 with a meeting with Trevecca Nazarene on December 31^st at the historic Sportscenter. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 PM .
 
 A decision on fan admittance will be made no later than 48 hours before tip off.  If Daviess County is deemed in the "red zone", fans will not be permitted.  The game will be livestreamed for free on the Great Midwest Digital Network which can be accessed by clicking HERE.
 
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