FAIRFIELD, Ala. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team suffered a 67-61 defeat to Miles College on Thursday evening. The Panthers made a dash to the finish, but a scoring drought to start the second half allowed the Bears to hold-on to a non-conference victory. 
 
As both teams looked to find a rhythm, the Panthers (0-3) took a 15-13 lead after Borja Fernandez's three-point bucket midway through the first half. The contest was tied at 17 with six minutes left in the half, when the Bears (2-0) closed-out the proceedings with a 12-4 rally that allowed them the comfort a 29-21 halftime lead. 
 
The Panthers did not score through the first five minutes of the second half and relied on their defense throughout. The Bears took advantage and built their biggest lead of the night, 40-21. 
 
Wesleyan chipped away as their deficit remained in double-figures into the final four minutes. A pair of free throws from JoMel Boyd got the Panthers within nine points, 57-49, with 3:32 on the clock. The Bears' lead shrunk to 62-57 after a Jordan Roland lay-up with a minute left, but that would be the closest the Panthers would get to a lucrative road victory. 
 
Roland finished the game with 14 points while Markel Aune came off the bench to add 14 points as well. Fernandez recorded seven points and eight rebounds. 
 
The Panthers will return to the historic Owensboro Sportscenter on Saturday for their home-opener. Wesleyan will host East-West University and honor legendary broadcaster Joel Utley for his 61 years of service throughout the game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30PM.
 
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