OWENSBORO, KY. - Four players reached double figures in the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team 85-50 win over Ohio Valley on Saturday afternoon. After shooting over 60% from the field a week ago, the Panthers had to wait nine days before getting back on the court. Wesleyan's shooting touch did not disappoint as they connected on 58% of their shots from the field as Wyatt Battaile and Zach Hopewell combined to score 30 points.
The Panthers (5-2, 4-2 GMAC) never trailed in the contest as Battaile scored six points in an opening 15-2 run to start the game. Midway through the opening half the Panthers' lead sat at 17-10. With six minutes left before halftime another run widened the Wesleyan advantage.
Ben Sisson started a 12-1 rally that extended the Panthers' lead to 34-16. Wesleyan shot 64% from the floor in the opening half to take a 38-20 lead into the locker-room.
The Fighting Scots (1-5 GMAC) won the opening four minutes of the second half as the Panthers' lead dropped to 13 points, 41-28. Hopewell's three-point bucket erased any momentum OVU gained as the the Panthers were back on the offensive attack.
Over the next eight minutes the Panthers outscored the Fighting Scots 20-5. Battaile's fast break lay-up ended the run that allowed Wesleyan a 28-point lead, 61-33. The lead stayed above 20 points throughout the remainder of the game while reaching a margin as big as 35 at the final horn.
Wesleyan shot 54% from the field in the second half, including making five of 12 three-point shots. Battaile finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Hopewell also added 15 points while recording seven rebounds. Tre Cobbs scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. Sisson came off the bench to score 11 points, grab seven rebounds, and block three shots.
The Panthers return home next week to host a pair of G-MAC contests. Wesleyan will face Findlay on Thursday evening followed by Hillsdale on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for both games will go on sale on Monday at 8 am CT at owensborotickets.com.
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