The Kentucky Wesleyan College basketball teams won both ends of a doubleheader at home Thursday against Davis & Elkins College. Both Panther squads fell into an early hole, but the women won 66-62 while the men came out as 92-89 victors.
The teams play their final games at home on Saturday in a doubleheader against Alderson Broaddus starting with the women at noon.
WOMEN
Following a pair of losses, the Panthers (20-5, 16-3) picked up another win to maintain their lead in the conference standings.
Wesleyan trailed 15-8 after the first quarter but bounced back to take a 34-25 lead at the half. After an even third period, the Panthers were able to hold off a late rally to ensure victory.
Jenna Martin hit four 3-pointers and led the team with 18 points. Shayla Wright added 11 and Emma Johnson chipped in 10.
With three games to play, Wesleyan holds a one-game lead over Walsh for the top spot in the conference. If they earn the No. 1 spot, the Panthers would be guaranteed to play at home for the entirety of the G-MAC Tournament.
MEN
The Panthers (9-14, 7-10) were barely able to hold on to an 11-point lead in the second half, but they picked up a much-needed conference win using a late scoring spurt.
Wesleyan overcame a 46-40 deficit at the half to take their biggest lead at 76-65 midway through the second period. The Senators used a 15-0 run to go back in front, though missed free throws down the stretch proved costly.
Wesleyan’s Mohamed Abu Arisha got a bucket to put the Panthers up 85-85, and they didn’t trail again.
Cameron Cartwright scored a career high 20 points off the bench and hit six 3-pointers. Also reaching double figures were Adam Goetz (21), Abu Arisha (14), Zach Hopewell (13) and Deng Mayot (12).
With three games to play, Wesleyan is tied with Alderson Broaddus in the standing for the final seed in the conference tournament, making Saturday’s meeting especially important.
