INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – The Kentucky Wesleyan men's basketball team dropped a back-and-forth match-up to open the season on Friday night. Head Coach Drew Cooper saw balanced scoring throughout the line-up with six players reaching double-figures. However, Wesleyan dropped a 96-90 decision in overtime to the University of Indianapolis at Nicoson Hall.
 
A match-up that sparked a lot of emotion a season ago at the Sportscenter, this time the Greyhounds featured a new coach and a host of new players. The Panthers (0-1) trailed 27-25 with six minutes left in the opening half, but outscored the Greyhounds (1-0) 16-9 to end the half and take a 41-35 lead. Wesleyan shot 46% from the field in the opening half and held UIndy to 34% from the field. 
 
The Hounds shot over 50% in the second half and with nine minutes left in regulation led 69-64. Kaeveon Mitchell sparked with Panthers with a quick three, followed by a Greyhound miss, Logan McIntire gave the Wesleyan a 71-69 lead with another three. McIntire then forced a turnover and got free on the perimeter again for yet another three-point basket.  
 
The run forced UIndy to call timeout. Edward Jones Jr. capped-off the 10-0 run with a bucket, giving the Panthers a 74-69 lead. Late in the game an exchange of lay-ups from Kennedy Miles and Brody Whitaker saw the Panthers lead shrink to 82-80 with 90 seconds left. Off a Panther miss, DeShawn Jackson connected on a three to give the Hounds a one-point lead. 
 
The Panthers trailed 84-82 with 26 seconds left when Miles went to the basket to draw a foul. Miles connected on both free throws to tie while the Greyhounds missed a would-be game winning lay-up. 
 
In overtime, the game was tied at 88 and 90, the latter being with less than a minute to go. A Greyhound lay-up with 30 seconds left saw UIndy take a two-point lead. A turnover by the Panthers forced Wesleyan to foul. A pair of made free-throws with eight seconds left put the game away. 
 
Six players reach double-figures with Miles scoring 15 points and dishing out seven assists. McIntire added 14 points, pulled-in eight rebounds, and grabbed four steals. Fatih Huyuk scored 13 points off the bench while Alex Gray, Quentin Toles and Terrence Ringo Jr., each finished with 12 points. 
 
The Panthers will travel to Jefferson City, Missouri on Sunday to play Lincoln University. Tip-off against the Blue Tigers is scheduled for 1PM. 
 
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