OWENSBORO, KY - Winning ugly games is necessary for a successful season, and the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers did just that on Saturday. Playing in a rare morning game, Wesleyan fought off a pesky Delta State squad, winning the contest by a final score of 75-62. In what was a much closer game than what the final score indicates, the Panthers avenged a nine-point loss to Statesman last season. 

Borja Fernandez came up clutch, scoring a few late buckets to seal the win and notch his second double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) 

With the win Wesleyan improves to 11-4 (5-2 G-MAC) play while Delta State falls to 8-7 (6-5 GSC). 

Delta State came out with a purpose, quickly taking it to the Panthers and going up 8-3 just two and a half minutes in. A layup by Edward Jones Jr. sparked a 9-0 run that saw Wesleyan take a 12-8 lead. The teams traded buckets for the final 10 minutes of the half, and after five late points from Logan McIntire the Panthers went into the break up 29-27. 

Wesleyan looked as though they would run away with it early, as a Kaeveon Mitchell three gave the Panthers a seven-point (36-29) advantage at the 18:25 mark of the frame. A few minutes later, Kennedy Miles hit his third three of the game to keep the Statesman at bay. Delta State wouldn't go down easy, as an 8-0 run midway through the second half gave them a 48-45 lead. The Statesman held a lead until the 6:01 mark, when a Miles layup put Wesleyan ahead 57-56. That layup was in the midst of a 15-2 Panther run, which saw the home side eventually take a convincing 68-58 lead. With just a few minutes remaining in the game, all Delta State could do was foul, and Wesleyan hit their free throws en-route to a 75-62 win. 

Wesleyan was 25-50 (50%) from the field and 6-19 (31.6%) from three. Delta State went 25-57 (43.9%) from the field and 9-36 (25%) from behind the arc. Free throws were the difference in this one, as the Panthers were an efficient 19-21 (90.5%) from the charity stripe, while Delta State only managed to get to the line three times, making all three of their attempts. 

Leading the scoring output for the Panthers was Kennedy Miles with 16 points, including 4-5 from three. Edward Jones Jr. (14), Logan McIntire (14), and Borja Fernandez (13) also finished in double figures. Fernandez hauled in a season-high 12 boards, while Alex Gray notched eight to go along with his team leading five assists. 

Wesleyan will get back into conference play next week when they travel up north to take on the Tiffin Dragons. Tipoff will take place at 6:30 p.m. CT. on Thursday in Tiffin, Ohio. 

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