OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball started the New Year's celebration early on Thursday afternoon. The Panthers picked-up their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference win of the season after a 53-39 victory over Trevecca Nazarene.
 
Points were hard to come by in the opening half as both teams were seeing their first action since the 'life in the balance' break over the Christmas Holiday. The Panthers (2-1, 1-1 GMAC) put the Trojans (1-5, 1-3 GMAC) on lockdown defensively. Trevecca shot 22% from the field in opening half and trailed 23-15 at the break.
 
Wesleyan scored the first second seven points of the second frame. Sasha Sukhanov started the second half with an easy lay-up, followed by a three-point basket to extend the Panthers' lead to 30-15. However, Trevecca trailed 30-22 with 12 minutes left in the game.
 
The Panthers responded with 17-2 run that put the game out of reach. Ben Sisson recorded four points in the run while Zach Hopewell closed out the rally with five points. The run lasted five and a half minutes and created the biggest lead of the night.
 
The Trojans did cut the deficit back down to 10 points in the final few minutes, but the damage had already been done. Hopewell finished the game with 12 points and four rebounds. Jamil Wilson added 11 points and six rebounds. Tre Cobbs also finished in double figures with 10 points.
 
Wyatt Battaile pulled in nine rebounds to go with seven points. Sukhanov recorded 10 rebounds and scored five points.
 
The Panthers are started a stretch of five games in nine days, all being played at the historic Sportscenter. The Panthers will host Walsh on Saturday. Tip off is scheduled for 2:15 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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