OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team erased a 35-29 halftime deficit on Friday night to pick-up their first win of the season. Wesleyan took down Roosevelt University 81-76 in the final game of day one at the Conference Commissioners Association Tip-off Classic.
Four players reached double figures on the night while
Georgia Acompanado helped spur the Panthers (1-0) comeback with her defense. Acompanado finished with 17 points and a team-best five steals. Wesleyan trailed by six points at the break, but outscored Roosevelt 12-5 to start the third quarter, taking a 41-40 lead after
Alexis Shehan's three-point basket.
The third quarter run was just getting started as transition baskets and smothering defense allowed the Panthers to the build a double-digit lead. When the dust settled the Panthers won the third period 30-13. The Wesleyan lead grew to as many as 16 points, 66-50 at the start of the fourth quarter.
However, with some outside shooting and a momentary dry spell from the Panthers, Roosevelt pulled within 74-40 with two minutes left in the contest. After a Wesleyan turnover, Isabella Pitta's jumper cut the margin to two points with a minute left. The iconic Sportscenter breathed a sigh of relief when Acompanado got the basket and converted a short-ranger jumper to give the Panthers a two-possession lead again, 76-72 with 31 seconds left in the match-up.
Emma Bruwer's foul shooting took care of the rest as she finished with 19 points. Bruwer also pulled-in seven rebounds.
Alexis Shehan added 14 points while
Hilary Shikuku scored 12 points off the bench. The Panthers' defense forced Roosevelt into 27 turnovers on the night.
The Panthers will cap off play at the D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic on Saturday. Wesleyan will be the final of four tremendous match-ups at the iconic Sportscenter. The Panthers will host Carson-Newman with tip-off scheduled for 6:30PM. At 11:45 AM Union and Wayne State will start the day followed by Harding and No. 12 Gannon at 2 PM. Before the Panthers hit the court Roosevelt and Missouri Western will play at 4:15PM.
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