The Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball team picked up an important win by edging Malone University 62-20. The women’s team fell just short in a 75-72 loss but remained atop the conference standings.
MEN
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball team clamped down on defense and finished off Malone University 62-60 on Thursday. The Pioneers were held to just 4 points over the final 8:52 as the victory moved the Panthers into a tie for the final spot in the Great Midwest Conference Tournament.
The Pioneers (13-11, 8-9 G-MAC) took a 56-46 lead after a dunk, but the Panthers (8-13, 6-9 G-MAC) scored 10 unanswered points in the next two minutes to tie the game. Adam Goetz scored 8 points in the run, including back-to-back 3-point baskets.
After Mohamed Abu Arisha tied the contest again at 60-60, an offensive foul on the other end allow the Panthers to take the lead. Deng Mayot’s layup gave the Panthers a 62-60 lead with three minutes left, and neither team scored again.
The Pioneers had one final chance to tie but missed both free throws with less than a second to play.
Tyler Bezold had 5 rebounds and 4 assists to go along with with his career-high 15 points. Goetz finished with 20 points, Mayot had 10 points, and Abu Arisha recorded 8 points and 10 rebounds.
The Panthers will continue their road trip at 2 p.m. Saturday at Walsh.
WOMEN
The Panthers’ 15-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday as Malone extended its own winning-streak to four games and avenged an earlier loss to Wesleyan with a 75-72 win. The Pioneers built a large first-half lead but had hold off a strong effort by Wesleyan.
The Panthers (19-4, 15-2 G-MAC) stormed back in the second half, erasing a 16-point halftime deficit. Keelie Lamb had no trouble getting to the basket and with five minutes left in the game provided Wesleyan with a 70-65 lead with a layup. The Pioneers (12-12, 10-8 G-MAC) immediately answered and were able to tie the game.
With 38 seconds left, Kaylee Clifford converted a pair off free throws. On the ensuing possession, Robin Campbell drained a 3-pointer to give Malone a 73-72 lead with 27 seconds on the clock.
Wesleyan had a few chances to score but couldn’t get a shot to fall on either of their last two possessions.
The Panthers struggled from the free throw line, going 13-for-20 on the night while Malone went 11-for-15. The Pioneers also made 12 of 19 3-point baskets.
Lamb finished with 19 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds. Emma Wolfe came off the bench and added 15 points. Clifford recorded 10 points and 6 rebounds.
The Panthers stay on the road when they play a noon Saturday at Walsh.
