WOMEN
The Kentucky Wesleyan College women’s basketball team clinched a spot in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon with an 87-62 victory over Tiffin University.
The Panthers showcased a total team effort as every player for the Panthers (19-3, 15-1 G-MAC).
Wesleyan held a 22-17 lead after the first quarter. A big run over the final minutes of the second period pushed the advantage to 46-29 by halftime.
The Panthers continued to roll and ended the third frame up 72-44, and Wesleyan led by as many as 31 in the fourth to cruise to a comfortable win.
Kelsey Ivers finished with 12 points, and Emma Johnson added 12 points and 8 rebounds. Kaylee Duncan came off the bench to add 11 points and 8 rebounds. Kaylee Clifford notched 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Wesleyan sits atop the Great Midwest standings with six games left. The Panthers will hit road on Thursday to play Malone at 5 p.m.
MEN
Wesleyan lost a back-and-forth battle with Tiffin University in a game that featured four ties and 13 lead changes before the Dragons came away with an 85-81.
The Panthers (7-13, 5-9 G-MAC) used sharp shooting and baskets inside to build a 26-20 lead midway through the first half. The Dragons (8-16, 4-12 G-MAC) cut the deficit to 4 points, but a 9-0 run for the Panthers established a 35-22 lead with 6:32 left in the period.
A 10-2 rally for the Dragons ended the half, turning a 9-point Wesleyan lead into a 39-38 edge at the break.
With another fast start out of the locker-room, the Panthers worked their lead back in to double digits after a Deng Mayot dunk at the 13-minute mark. Four minutes later, the Dragons cut it to 57-56.
The lead changed hands seven times over the next eight minutes. Mohamed Abu Arisha converted another lay-up with seven seconds left that cut the Dragons’ lead to 83-81, but Tiffin sealed it with two free throws.
Adam Goetz finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Abu Arisha recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Zach Hopewell added 14 points.
The Panthers will travel on Thursday to play Malone at 7 p.m.
