Canton, Ohio - The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team (11-4, 7-2 G-MAC) earned another impressive win on Thursday afternoon, defeating Malone 65-63 on the road.

With the victory over a Pioneers team that received votes in the latest WBCA Division II Coaches Poll, KWC now leads the all-time series 11-8.

Wesleyan earned a quick 7-0 advantage, highlighted by a Myah Montgomery three-pointer, headed into the first quarter media timeout. The Pioneers (12-4, 5-3 G-MAC) still couldn't reel things in coming out as the Panthers increased their lead to 16-5 by the end of the frame. Montgomery and Riley Neal each had five points to open the afternoon.

Wesleyan was able to hold a similar lead until about midway through the second. With KWC leading 28-19, Malone scored the next seven points to pull within two at 28-26. The Panthers responded with the next five points to close the half, featuring a three-pointer by Iratxe Amorrortu Sainz and a jumper by Emma Bruwer, to head into the break up 33-26.

KWC managed to build their advantage back to 11 coming out of the locker room, and the Pioneers wouldn't pull much closer for the rest of the period. Bruwer had ten points in the third to help hold off the home team as Wesleyan led 54-47 going into the fourth.

The Pioneers immediately made their push early in the final quarter. The home team went on a 15-4 run to take their first lead of the afternoon at 59-58, but Avah Montgomery hit a timely three off an assist from Rickey Kapteijn to put Wesleyan back on top at 61-59 with just under five minutes to play.

Kapteijn hit two free throws and Myah Montgomery scored a layup off an assist from Neal to stretch the Panthers' advantage back to six at 65-59 with under three minutes to go. KWC wouldn't score again, but their defense came up clutch in the waning minutes. Myah Montgomery played terrific defense on Malone's Erin Kaufman as her three-pointer narrowly missed at the buzzer.

Bruwer led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot. Myah Montgomery and Neal each had 12 points, with the former adding five rebounds and five steals and the latter adding seven rebounds and a blocked shot.

The Panthers next head to North Canton, Ohio, for a matchup versus Walsh on Saturday, January 17^th. Tipoff is set for 12:00 PM and the game will be streamed live on FloCollege.

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