These are Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics press releases.
Here are results from men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, track & field and volleyball from a busy weekend with Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics.
Wesleyan goes down to the wire with No. 18 Hillsdale
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball team battled nationally ranked No. 18 Hillsdale College on Saturday, but ultimately fell 66-63 at The Owensboro Sportscenter. It was a nail-biting 40 minutes of action as neither team led by more than 8 points.
Wesleyan trailed by six at the half before back-to-back three’s from Wyatt Battaile and Zach Hopewell evened the score at 30 less than five minutes into the second half. In the final 16 minutes of play, the two teams traded the lead 10 times.
With five minutes remaining and leading by one, a pair of lay ups from Ben Sisson gave the Panthers a five-point lead. It marked the largest lead by either team in over 12 minutes of play as no one built more than a three-point lead.
The Chargers responded with five points to tie the score at 54 with 3:28 remaining. The next five possessions saw each team score, giving Hillsdale a 60-59 lead with 0:33 left.
After a few trips to the free throw line, the Chargers extended their lead to 4 with 0:08 remaining. A fast break three from Battaile made it a one-point game with two ticks left on the clock. Another foul in the final second sent the Chargers to the line once again, making both free throws to make it a three-point lead. The Panthers had a chance for a buzzer-beater, but the inbound pass across midcourt was intercepted.
Battaile finished with a season-high 19 points while Tre Cobbs recorded ten. Battaile, Sisson and Sasha Sukhanov each grabbed six rebounds. Sukhanov and Battaile both picked up two blocks.
Wesleyan heads to Canton next weekend for a two-game road trip, taking on Malone on Thursday and Walsh on Saturday.
Wesleyan women celebrate Senior Day with win over Hillsdale
The Kentucky Wesleyan College women’s basketball team celebrated senior day with a win 97-73 win over Hillsdale College on Saturday. The Panthers never trailed in the contest as they shot 54.9% from the floor.
The Chargers trailed by 7 midway through the fourth quarter but back-to-back three’s from Shaylee McDonald and Emma Johnson silenced the Chargers. Wesleyan shot 5-7 from beyond the arch in the third quarter to take a 67-56 lead.
The Panther offense didn’t falter in the final frame, scoring 30 points while holding the Chargers to 17. Hillsdale cut the lead to 10 with 8:44 remaining but a quick three from Shiya Hoosier sparked a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach.
Lily Miller poured in a career high 18 points while flirting with a double-double with 7 assists. Three other Panthers reached double figures in Kaylee Clifford (17), Johnson (13) and McDonald (10).
Leah Richardson paced the Panthers with six rebounds while Kaylee Willis was right behind at five. Cali Nolot, Willis and Miller each recorded two steals.
Wesleyan scored 26 points off of 21 Charger turnovers. The Panthers scored 50 points in the paint and 35 points on the fast break.
The Panthers have a quick break before hosting Trevecca Nazarene on Monday night at The Sportscenter. Then Wesleyan will hit the road for a two-game road trip in Canton, taking on Malone on Thursday and Walsh on Saturday.
Track and Field breaks 4 records in season spener
The Kentucky Wesleyan College track and field team completed their long await return on Saturday, opening their indoor campaign at the Samford Open hosted by Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. The Panthers recorded six Top 3 finished while breaking four indoor records.
WOMEN’S RESULTS
800-meter run
Breanna Alderton – 2:21.03 (3rd) *New program record
Sarah Vanderhoof -2:33.91 (6th)
High Jump
Hailey Miller – 1.54m (1st)
Triple Jump
Karyn Williams – 10.39m (9th) *3rd in indoor record books
MEN’S RESULTS
Weight Throw
Ian Francisco – 13.62m (7th)
High Jump
Adam Bouchard – 1.90m (2nd)
Triple Jump
Keith Williams – 13.61m (3rd) * New indoor record
Michael Walker – 12.37m (7th)
Shot Put
Matt Wilson – 14.27m (2nd) * New indoor record
Trevor Miller – 13.48m (5th)
3000-meter run
Hunter Kurz – 8:46.18 (3rd) *New program record
Chargers defeat KWC volleyball in Michigan
The Kentucky Wesleyan College volleyball team continued its season on Saturday in Michigan. Wesleyan fell 3-0 to Hillsdale College in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference opening weekend.
The Chargers (2-0 GMAC) raced out to an early 13-2 lead in the opening set and took a quick 1-0 match lead. Hillsdale won the first set 25-15.
In the second set it was the Panthers (0-2 G-MAC) turn jump out to a quick lead. Kenlee Perryman recorded two kills and block in the Panthers’ 7-2 run to open the second. The Chargers chipped away and was able to tie the set at 12.
Karrah Cron’s kill late in the set brought the Panthers within 21-20, but the Chargers won the final four points to end the frame and take a 2-0 lead. In the third the Charges again got out to a quick lead, 12-4, which provided a big enough cushion to hold off the Panthers.
Lilly Trump finished with five kills while Alexa Davis added four. Nilah Roy led defensively with 21 digs. Cron finished with 10 assists.
The Panthers will return to Owensboro on Friday to face-off against Ohio Dominican. The match at Jones Gym is scheduled to start at 7 PM.
Panthers wrestling places 5th at G-MAC Championships
The pinnacle event for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference came to Owensboro on Saturday. In their first G-MAC Championship appearance Ashland University came away with the team title. The Kentucky Wesleyan College wrestling team finished fifth as Nick Ornelas placed fourth overall at 133-pounds.
Ornelas and Andrew Parker both competed at 133-pounds, but both lost in the opening round. Ornelas defeat Derek Sharp from Findlay to reach the placing rounds while Parker advanced through the consolation bracket after a major decision 13-2 over Tyler Masters from Ashland.
Caleb Craig also reach the consolation semis as well, finishing the day 1-2. Craig won his first consolation match 11-2 before falling in the semis 5-2.
Adam Bender was also moved into the consolation bracket at 125-pounds after the opening round. Bender stayed alive with 6-4 win the consolations but fell in the semi-finals, finishing 1-2.
The Panthers will travel to St. Charles, Missouri on Feb. 3 to match-up with Lindenwood University and Central Missouri.
