LEBANON, IL. – Not since the 2011-12 season has the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team beaten a ranked opponent on the road. In the pas 15 years the Panthers have not gotten too many chances to play ranked opponents away from the Sportscenter, but on Saturday the 20
th ranked McKendree was that opportunity. Wesleyan raced out to a large first half lead, but in true form the Bearcats took a second half lead only to see the Panthers take home an 84-78 victory. The win marks the Panthers first 3-0 start to the season since the 2015-16.
The contest started with the Panthers playing as a seasoned ranked team as they shot 58% from the floor in the first half. The Bearcats struggled to find any rhythm as the Panthers opened the floor with three-point shots and easy lay-ups. A 14-4 run early in the contest gave the Panthers a 28-14 lead with 10 minutes to go in the frame.
The lead grew to 36-19 after a
Terrence Burri lay-up at the 6:30 mark before the Panthers settled in with a 51-33 lead at the break. True to form, the Bearcats came out from the locker room with more aggression. McKendree became more physical defensively and were direct on the offensive end.
With 10 minutes left in the game the Panthers' lead shrunk to 61-59 and after an Andrew Moore lay-up a minute later the Bearcats had their first lead of the night, 63-61. The Panthers trailed by five points with five minutes to go, but the poise of Wesleyan allowed them to overcome the Bearcats 37-14 run that lasted the first 15 minutes of the half.
Water find its level and the Panthers started to execute again with
Logan McIntire hitting threes and
Ke'Andre Jones getting the basket. Jones tied the game at 75 with a dunk at 1:48 and McIntire gave the Panthers a 78-76 lead with a three 44 seconds later. After defensive stops, the Panthers again shortened the game by making free throws until the final buzzer.
McIntire hit six three-point shots and finished with 24 points. Burri added 21 points and seven rebounds while Jones collected 16 points.
Fallou Gueye gave the Panthers 11 points on the night as well.
The Panthers will return home on Tuesday to host Simmons College of Kentucky. Tip-off at the historic Sportscenter is scheduled for 6PM.
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