OWENSBORO, KY - Five players scored in double-figures on Thursday as the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers took care of business against Lake Erie, winning the game by a final score of 87-77. This was a big game for the Panthers, who got back on track after dropping two on the road last week. Kennedy Miles was all over the court in this one, notching 15 points to go along with eight assists and a career high seven steals. The seven steals are the most in the G-MAC this season, and put him in a tie for fourth all-time in Kentucky Wesleyan history for steals in a game. 

The game doubled as Owensboro Catholic night, with performances from the Owensboro Catholic youth cheerleaders at halftime of both games. 

Wesleyan improves to 12-6 (6-4 G-MAC), while Lake Erie falls to 5-14 (3-7 G-MAC). 

After a few back-and-forth buckets early, Lake Erie took control and grabbed a nine-point (16-7) lead. An Edward Jones Jr. bucket stopped the run, and a Borja Fernandez dunk a few minutes later cut the lead to just four. Aleksa Rakic kept the Panthers in it with a big layup, and Fernandez gave the Panthers a 36-35 lead at the break thanks to a big and-1. 

Wesleyan won the first half thanks to their presence in the paint, as they were 15-22 from inside the arc, and 0-9 outside. 

Kennedy Miles opened the second half with a three, which was immediately followed by a layup from Jones Jr. Lake Erie took the lead twice over the next few minutes, but Kaeveon Mitchell answered with a three each time to put the Panthers ahead. Down 64-63 with 8:08 remaining in the game, another Mitchell three sparked an 8-0 run from the home side. Looking to run away with it after that run, the man who has been feeling bouncy as of late, Borja Fernandez, threw down a powerful dunk to keep the Panthers comfortably ahead. A late fast break layup by Alex Gray sealed the victory for Wesleyan. 

Wesleyan has now won six of their last seven meetings with the Storm, including five in a row at the Sportscenter. 

The Panthers shot 30-57 (52.6%) from the field and 5-20 (25%) from three. The Storm went 29-65 (44.6%) from the field and 8-29 (27.6%) from behind the arc. Wesleyan hit 22 free throws in the contest, compared to just 11 for Lake Erie. Wesleyan notched 11 steals in the game, their most since they had 12 against Oakland City in 2019. 

Leading the way was Borja Fernandez, who notched 23 points on an efficient 9-11 from the field. Kennedy Miles and Edward Jones Jr. each had 15 points, while Kaeveon Mitchell and Alex Gray helped out with 13 apiece. Miles easily led with eight assists and seven steals, while the team's leading rebounder, 6'3 Alex Gray, led the team yet again with eight boards. 

The Panthers will be back in action this Saturday at 2:15 when they take on the Walsh Cavaliers, who have not lost since Wesleyan beat them a month and a half ago. The game doubles as the Owensboro Family YMCA Game. If you are involved with the YMCA, make sure to go to gate 4 to get free entry. Fans will also have the chance to win two six-month passes to the Y. 

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