FINDLAY, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team continued to shock the G-MAC on Friday, picking up a two-point overtime win over the No. 5 seed Malone in the semifinals.  The Panthers head to the G-MAC Championship for the first time since the 2016-17 season.  Wesleyan will face the No. 3 seed Walsh who upset the No. 2 seed Findlay on Friday.
 
Malone led for nearly 35 minutes of the game but never led by more than eight points.  The Pioneers held a seven-point lead with 1:17 remaining in regulation before Jo Griffin knocked back a three.  A free throw gave Malone a five-point lead but once again Griffin drained a three to make it a two-point game with 43 seconds remaining.
 
After Malone turned it over on the inbounds, Adam Goetz banked in a jumper in the paint to even the score at 73 with 35 seconds remaining.  Neither team was able to execute their final possession, sending the semifinal to overtime.
 
Sasha Sukhanov notched the first basket of the extra period before the Pioneers converted three of four free throws to take a one-point lead.  Stew Currie worked hard in the paint for a lay up to regain the lead as Wesleyan never trailed from then on.  Currie, Hopewell and Griffin combined for Wesleyan's final four points from the charity stripe.  The Pioneers had their final possession with four seconds left but missed the game-winning three.
 
Goetz finished with 26 points on 11-16 shooting while pacing the team with six assists.  Hopewell recorded 19 while Sukhanov posted 10.  Wyatt Battaile led the team with nine rebounds and three steals.
 
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