Using a strong defensive effort, the Kentucky Wesleyan College women’s basketball team rolled to their fifth consecutive win to open the season Saturday.
By taking down Missouri-St. Louis 58-34, the Panthers extend their home win streak to 19 games — the longest in program history.
Four of Wesleyan’s five wins so far have come against in-region opponents, all of which come from the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Entering the day but the Tritons averaged 57.7 points per game but the Panthers held them to a season-low 34, including just 2 in the second quarter. The Panthers scored 19 points off 24 forced turnovers.
Kaylee Clifford started the scoring for the Panthers, draining a 3-pointer on their first possession. Midway through the first, Emma Johnson knocked back a long ball to give Wesleyan their first double-digit lead.
The Panthers’ offense erupted for a 21-0 run over nearly nine minutes in the second quarter, and the Wesleyan carried a 39-16 lead to halftime.
Wesleyan lead by more than 20 points the entire second half, going up by as many as 28.
Keelie Lamb finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Johnson went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, recording 11 points.
Lily Skye Grimes and Tahlia Walton scored seven points a piece, while Leah Richardson and Jordyn Barga finished with five.
The Panthers will try to protect their home win streak with a pair of non-conference games next week, hosting Lindenwood Belleville on Wednesday and Missouri Baptist on Saturday.
Those will be the final tune-ups before Great Midwest Athletic Conference action begins on Dec. 5.
