OWENSBORO, KY. – In a match-up between two 10-4 teams, the Kentucky Wesleyan College women's basketball team utilized its depth and pressure defense to upend Ohio Dominican on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers made a furious comeback in the second half to earn their 11
th win of the season 93-85.
ODU (10-5 GMAC) raced out to a hot start finding easy buckets under the basket along with perimeter shooting. Dominican shot 60% in the opening quarter to take a 27-18 lead. The offensive onslaught continued into the second frame as the Panthers (11-4 GMAC) trailed by as many as 13 points.
Over the final five minutes of the second quarter Wesleyan chipped away.
Cali Nolot ended the frame with a steal and lay-up to bring the Panthers within 48-41. ODU shot over 50% from the field in the first half. Considering Dominican was rotating six players on and off the court, the foul totals started to mount.
The well started to dry-up in the third as the Panthers produced a 19-6 rally to start the frame and take a 57-54 lead. The advantage grew to 64-58 with a minute left in the quarter and after
Kaylee Clifford buried a three-point shot. Dominican found a temporary reprieve in the final seconds, finishing on an 8-0 run to hold a slim 66-64 lead with 10 minutes left to play.
Tahlia Walton took advantage of an opening turnover to the tie the game at the start of the fourth. The Panthers scored 11 unanswered to being the frame and hold a 75-66 lead.
Shaylee McDonald knocked-down a three-point basket with 5:35 left to continue the rally, giving the Panthers an 80-68 lead. The run ended on Clifford's lay-up a minute later.
In total the Panthers outscored a tired Dominican team 20-4 through 5:28 of the fourth. Wesleyan spread the floor and used the clock to their advantage and avenged an overtime loss to ODU earlier this season.
Nolot finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Walton added 18 points and six rebounds.
Leah Richardson came off the bench to score 13 points and record three steals. The Panthers finished the game shooting 53% from the field.
The Panthers will travel to Tiffin on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.