Owensboro, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan men's and women's basketball team have a rare home/road split week, battling in-state rival Thomas More inside the Sportscenter on Wednesday night (5:30/7:45) before heading to Hillsdale to face off with the Chargers on Saturday afternoon (12:00/2:00).
The Kentucky Wesleyan men's basketball team had a strong showing at the Sportscenter, defeating G-MAC foes Northwood and Malone last week. The two victories move the Panthers to 14-4 overall and 8-2 in the conference, still sitting in sole third place among the 12 teams.
Fatih Huyuk, who was named the G-MAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week on Monday, had the best two-game stretch of his Wesleyan career. The junior big man averaged 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting a perfect 14-14 from the field in the two triumphs.
The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team brought a four-game winning streak into their home arena but ultimately fell to two of the top teams in the conference - Malone is still undefeated at 10-0 and in 1st place, and Northwood is in sole 5th place at 7-4.
Wesleyan is now 9-7 overall and 5-6 in the G-MAC, putting them T-6th among the 13 teams. Seniors Sydnee Richetto (12.1 points per game) and Arielle Dabu (10.1 points per game) as well as junior Myah Montgomery (11.4 points per game and team-high 33 three-pointers made) have been the consistent anchors for the Panthers.
About Thomas More Basketball
The Thomas More men's basketball team (12-7, 7-5 G-MAC) is coming off an impressive week in which the Saints handed No. 5 Findlay their first conference loss on the road on Thursday night before downing Northwood at home on Saturday afternoon. The Saints are led by senior Casey George (13.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game) and two redshirt freshmen: Jack McCune (13.5 points per game on 60% shooting) and Kai Simpson (12.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game). Junior Mitchell Rylee has also impressed, averaging 9.3 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds on nearly 70% shooting.
The Thomas More women's basketball team (8-11, 5-6 G-MAC) split their two games last week, falling to Findlay but defeating Northwood. The Saints are headed by two juniors: forward Sereniti Webb (10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game) and forward Rylee Turner (9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with a team-high 51 assists). Sophomore Morgan Hunt has also been a strong presence, posting averages of 8.7 points and 4.8 rebounds while showing her defensive prowess with 22 steals and 16 blocks.
About Hillsdale Basketball
The Hillsdale men's basketball team (15-4, 9-2 G-MAC) played just one game last week, and it was a big one: a narrow 76-71 home loss to No. 5 Findlay. The Chargers, like the Panthers, have a balanced offensive attack. Sophomore Charles Woodhams leads the way with 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, senior Joe Reuter is at 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on top of team-highs in assists (57), blocks (16), and steals (31), and sophomore Mikey McCollum has averages of 11.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Junior Ashton Janowski rounds out the double-digit scorers, averaging 10.8 points per game.
The Hillsdale women's basketball team (12-6, 9-2 G-MAC) earned a narrow two-point victory over Findlay Saturday afternoon. Winners of nine of their last ten, the Chargers have one of the best players in the conference in Lauren McDonald, who is averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game on top of 37 steals and 12 blocks. Cailtin Splain is the other main threat, totaling 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds while hitting 38 threes up to this point of the season.
Tickets for the Panthers' home contests on Wednesday night can be purchased at owensborotickets.com and both doubleheaders this week will be broadcast on the Great Midwest Digital Network.
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