OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College women's basketball team shook off the Holiday rust on Friday night to come away with a 72-53 victory over Oakland City University. The Panthers turned a first half deficit into a near 20-point win with relentless defensive pressure, forcing the Mighty Oaks into 35 turnovers on the night.
 
The Panthers (8-4) had a week off for the Christmas holiday, but returned to the hardwood with a non-conference affair with the Mighty Oaks (10-4). Oakland City proved to be difficult match-up in the post as the Panthers took most of their shots in the first half form the perimeter.
 
The Mighty Oaks sat in a zone defense throughout most of the game as they took a 12-11 lead after one quarter and a 26-24 lead at intermission. The Panthers trailed by as many as seven points in the second quarter before a 7-0 run tied the game at 24.
 
Wesleyan opened the second half on a 15-2, taking a 39-28 lead and finished the third stanza with a 44-38 advantage. However, the Mighty Oaks chipped away and opened the fourth quarter with 8-0 run to take the lead back, but in a flash the momentum was halted with Shiya Hoosier's three-point basket to give the Panthers a 47-46 lead. Hoosier nailed another three on the following possession while Jordyn Barga got into the act and made it a 9-0 rally with a three-point bucker of her own.
 
With three minutes left in the game the Panthers left little doubt, ending the game on a 15-2 run.  Shaylee McDonald returned a double-digit lead (62-51) to the Panthers with a lay-up. Barga scored five points in the final stretch while foul trouble continued to mount for the Mighty Oaks.
 
Hoosier connected on five three-point baskets on the night and led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds. After a slow start Barga added 14 points and team best five assists and four steals. Tahlia Walton came off the bench and impacted the contest with 16 points and six rebounds.
 
The Panthers will return to Great Midwest action on Thursday with a match-up against Walsh. Tip-off at the Sportscenter is scheduled for 5:30PM.
 
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