OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan women's basketball team (14-9, 10-7 G-MAC) fell just short in a classic back-and-forth battle versus the Walsh Cavaliers on Senior Day Saturday afternoon inside the Owensboro Sportscenter.
The Panthers now sit in a four-way tie for the fourth spot in the G-MAC standings. Wesleyan is knotted up with Ashland, Findlay, and Walsh, battling for the right to host the first round of the conference tournament.
Three pointers from Avah Montgomery and Lena Stinebrickner highlighted a competitive first quarter. After an Emma Bruwer layup gave the Panthers a 12-11 advantage, Walsh scored the final five points to take a 16-12 lead into the second.
Riley Neal nailed a three to open the second quarter, but Walsh responded with back-to-back triples to take a seven-point lead at 22-15. Walsh led by as much as 11 in the frame, but a Georgia Acompanado three-pointer at the halftime buzzer off a nice pass by Neal put KWC within eight at halftime, 36-28.
The Panthers trailed the entire third quarter, but as we've seen all year, the Panthers did not let up on their comeback attempt. KWC came within one possession several times in the third quarter and trailed by just three, 56-53, going into the fourth. Acompanado added five more points in those 10 minutes.
Walsh (14-11, 10-7 G-MAC) went up five at 58-53 to begin the fourth before Wesleyan responded with a quick 6-1 burst to finally tie the game at 59. The road team had a perfect response, reeling off a 10-3 run to take the advantage right back at 69-62.
A three-pointer by Myah Montgomery off an assist from Iratxe Amorrortu Sainz pulled KWC within two with three and a half minutes to play, but that was as close as the Panthers could get in the eventual 78-71 loss.
Acompanado totaled 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Neal logged 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot, and one steal.
Bruwer joined those two in double digits with 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
Wesleyan celebrated their three seniors prior to today's action: Myah Montgomery, Riley Neal, and Vilborg Jonsdottir.
The Panthers next head on the road to Hillsdale, Michigan, for a battle versus the Chargers on Thursday, February 19th. Tipoff is set for 4:30 PM and fans can watch live on FloCollege.
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