OWENSBORO, KY – Wesleyan women's basketball (5-5, GMAC 1-4) came up just short against Walsh University (8-6, GMAC 3-3) on Saturday, 74-69. Riley Neal was perfect shooting the ball against the Cavaliers, setting a career-high with 23 points while shooting 100% from the field and the charity stripe (7-7 FG, 9-9 FT).
 
Neal started early, as she kicked the game off with an and-one inside. Another layup by the junior forward just over a minute later gave Wesleyan an early 5-2 lead. Walsh took off on a 6-0 run to take the lead 10-7 with under four minutes left in the first quarter. The Panthers immediately responded with a 6-0 run of their own, led by Vilborg Jonsdottir. Yet Wesleyan found themselves on the wrong end of another Cavelier run, this time a 10-0 edge that extended to the end of the quarter.
 
Down seven entering the second quarter, the Panthers quickly gained ground. Arielle Dabu scored five points to lead Wesleyan on a 7-0 run to tie the game 20-20. Kentucky Wesleyan dominated the quarter, outscoring Walsh 25-11. Riley Neal scored nine of her points in the quarter, consistently getting inside and converting at the free-throw line. Asia Sawyers scored in the paint to give the Panthers a 38-31 lead at halftime.
 
Neal began the second half again with four straight points. Halfway through the third, Emma Bruwer collected her own long rebound and raced to the rim for a floater to extend the lead back to eight. Walsh took over late, finishing the last two minutes on an 11-0 run to tie the game 55-55.
 
The run continued into the fourth, extending to a 19-0 run before a Wesleyan timeout with 7:17 remaining. Finding themselves down 63-55, Dabu finally drilled a three to put an end to the Cavaliers' hot streak. Dabu made a pull-up jumper and Jonsdottir sunk a floater to bring Wesleyan within three points with under three minutes left. Although, the Panthers were not able to close the gap.
 
Dabu scored 12 points. Myah Montgomery finished with nine points, four rebounds, and three steals. Richetto added eight points, four boards, and four assists.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan will go on a road trip next weekend to face Lake Erie on Thursday, January 9^th and a rematch against Walsh, this time in Canton, on Saturday, January 11^th.
 
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