OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team flirted with another upset over nationally ranked Hillsdale College on Thursday night. With a late three-point basket from Wyatt Battaile, the Panthers forced an extra period over the 16^th ranked Chargers. The foul trouble turned-out to be too great as Hillsdale escaped with a 72-64 win at the historic Owensboro Sportscenter.
 
The first half ended just as the game started, with a tie. The Panthers (4-3, 0-1 GMAC) erased an early 10-point deficit to take a 27-23 lead with two minutes to go in the first half. Tavon Brown connected on a late three-point basket to pull the Charges (5-1, 1-0 GMAC) even at the break, tied at 29. Each team committed three turnovers in the first half while the Panthers outshot the Chargers 43%-33% through the first 20 minutes.
 
The Panthers held a slim one possession lead for most of the second half. They reached their biggest lead of four, 51-47, with four minutes left in the contest. Out of the media timeout. Battaile's lay-up was too strong and the Chargers answered with a three-point basket to pull within one.
 
With a minute to play, Jamil Wilson split a pair form the charity strip to tie the game at 54. Immediately down the floor the Chargers connected from the perimeter to take a 57-54 lead with 33 seconds left. Out of a timeout Battaile stepped back from the top of the key to drain a three-point bucket to tie the game, but Austen Yarian got behind the defense and received a lob pass over the top with a clear path to the basket. Jordan Roland attacked from behind to block his lay-up against the glass.
 
The Panthers grabbed the rebound and had seven second left it the game to produce a game-winner. Wilson drove to the basket and had the ball knocked away while Kaeveon Mitchell hoisted up a long jumper at the buzzed that hit the left side of the rim.
 
The Chargers were able to exploit the Panthers' foul trouble in overtime. By getting to the foul line the Panthers saw JoMel Boyd and Sasha Sukhanov foul out of the game while Hillsdale went in front 65-60 with a minute to go. The marched to the line continued while the Panthers could not connect from the field to get back in the contest.
 
Battaile scored 14 second half points to finish with 16. He also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out three assists. Boyd also had a strong second half to add 13 points and eight rebounds. Roland was able to get to the basket throughout the contest and finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
 
The Panthers will host Findlay on Saturday as Great Midwest Conference action continues. Tip-off at the historic Owensboro Sportscenter is scheduled for 2:15 PM.
 
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