LEBANON, Ill. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team moved to 2-0 on Friday night with a 79-71 win over Lewis University at the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover. Four players reached double figures in the first game at Harry Statham Sports Center. Both
Ke'Andre Jones and
Jorge Sanchez-Ramos scored 19 points in the victory.
Logan McIntire usually makes his impact from the perimeter, but on Friday night the Panthers' sharpshooter grabbed 11 rebounds while scoring nine points. The difference in the contest was on the glass as the Panthers outscored Lewis 16-4 on second chance points.
Lewis brought the defensive pressure early and quickly took a lead in the opening minutes. An eight-point lead by the Flyers quickly evaporated as the Panthers held a 19-16 lead at the midway point of the first half. The Panthers were in the midst of an 18-0 run that ended with a
Jorge Sanchez-Ramos three-point basket that established the biggest lead of the half 28-16.
The Wesleyan lead remained at 12 points at halftime, 41-29. The Panthers held the Flyers to 34% shooting in the first half and commanded a 22-15 lead in the battle of the boards.
The pressure by Lewis continued in the second half as they made a run at the Panthers.
Tavion Williams gave the Panthers a 48-34 lead early in the second half, but the Flyers embarked on a 14-2 run that pulled the contest to within one possession with 12:28 left in the game.
The Panthers regrouped and started to pull away again. Sanchez-Ramos and McIntire each hit threes after the Flyers' rally to help Wesleyan regain control.
Fallou Gueye gave the Panthers a 72-61 lead with an easy lay-up at the three-minute mark that forced a timeout. Wesleyan converted from the foul line to keep Lewis a three-possession deficit.
Sanchez-Ramos finished with 19 points while Jones also contributed with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Terrence Burri was limited due to foul trouble, but finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Gueye added 11 points.
The Panthers will play the preseason pick to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference in McKendree tomorrow. Tip-off at the Harry Statham Sports Center is scheduled for 3PM.
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