The Panthers calmed the storm on Thursday night, holding the Lake to just 29% shooting in a 84-40 win. Tahlia Walton led the KWC scoring attack with a game-high 18 points to complete the season sweep.
With the win, Kentucky Wesleyan improves to 17-9 (14-6 GMAC), while Lake Erie falls to 2-25 (1-20 GMAC).
The Storm started off the game with a quick layup and free-throw to take a 3-0 lead. After a pair of three-pointers from Emma Johnson and Rachel Richardson, the Panthers took the lead and never looked back. KWC led 17-11 after the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, the Panthers started off hot, opening on an 8-0 run to take a 14-point lead three minutes into the frame. Lake Erie kept the game in reach, cutting the lead down to five before a Corina Conley free throw and a Jordyn Barga layup gave Wesleyan a 30-22 lead at the break.
The Panthers came out of halftime with outstanding defense, forcing the Storm to take multiple contested shots and holding them to 20% from the field for the quarter. Up by just seven, Wesleyan went on an 18-0 run to go up 50-25 with four minutes left in the quarter. Johnson hit a three and Shaylee Mcdonald put in a layup at the buzzer to give KWC a huge 57-33 lead with 10 minutes left in the game.
Everything that the Panthers did well in the third quarter transferred over into the fourth quarter, as KWC’s stifling defense gave up only three baskets in the quarter. The Panthers shot 5-9 from three in the quarter, including two big ones from Johnson, and the Panthers cruised to the 44-point win.
The Panthers had three players in double figures led by Walton with 18, Johnson with 17, and Conley with 16. Barga led KWC in rebounds with six, and Nolot tallied six assists.
Wesleyan shot 31-66 (47.0%) from the field and 13-33 (39.4%) from behind the arc. Lake Erie shot 14-47 (29.8%) from the floor and 2-14 (14.3%) from three.
KWC will finish the regular season on Saturday when they host Ursuline for senior day. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
