This is a Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics press release.
The Kentucky Wesleyan College women’s basketball team picked up a statement win on Saturday, taking down defending G-MAC Champions Walsh University by a score of 75-65. The Panthers had dropped the previous four meetings with the Cavaliers, two of which came in the G-MAC title game.
Perhaps the biggest victory of the day came for Co-Head Coaches Caleb and Nicole Nieman who recorded their 200th career win at Wesleyan. The duo has the most career wins by any head coach in program history and the most among active G-MAC Coaches. The Nieman’s have never had a losing season, posting 10 seasons above .500 since coming to Owensboro in 2010.
The Panthers also extended their home game winning streak to 35 with their last loss at The Owensboro Sportscenter coming in February 2018. The streak is the fifth longest active home win streak among all divisions of NCAA women’s basketball behind Lubbock Christian (80), Baylor (61), Drury (56) and Iowa (41).
As time expired in the first quarter, Emma Johnson had ice in her veins, knocking back a three to tie the score at 11. Once trailing 10-6 in the first, Wesleyan’s offense erupted for a 22-3 run into the second quarter to take a commanding 28-13 lead.
Wesleyan’s offense kept rolling in the second half, putting up 20 points in each of the final two frames. With less than one minute remaining in the third, Shiya Hoosier drove to the basket for a layup, giving the Panthers their largest lead of the game at 20.
A three at the 4:27 mark of the fourth cut the Cavs’ deficit to nine but Hoosier halted Walsh’s momentum with a turnaround jump shot on the Panthers ensuing possession. The Cavs threatened again, cutting Wesleyan’s lead to eight with 0:26 left on the clock but Tahlia Walton put the game away with a pair of made free throws.
Clifford finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Three other Panthers reached double figures in scoring in Walton (13), McDonald (11) and Johnson (10). Cali Nolot recorded six points while leading the team with four steals.
The Panthers bench obliterated Walsh’s, outscoring them 46 to 1. Wesleyan scored 16 points on the fast break to Walsh’s four.
Wesleyan will return to action with a Monday matinee, hosting Malone at 1 pm CT at The Owensboro Sportscenter.
