Panthers roll Simmons in home opener

Logan McIntire scored a game-high 16 points, Eddy Jones Jr. added 15 points with eight rebounds, and the Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball team rolled to a 94-51 win over Simmons on Thursday at the Sportscenter.

Four players scored double figures for the Panthers (1-2), who racked up 28 assists on 38 made baskets while playing on their home court for the first time this year. Kennedy Miles and Quentin Toles tallied 11 points apiece, with Miles also dishing seven helpers.

“We passed the ball, I’m not worried about that,” Wesleyan head coach Drew Cooper said after the game, also noting Alex Gray’s seven assists without a turnover off the bench. “Offensively, I think we’re clicking. I’m very comfortable with some of the things we’re doing offensively, except turn the ball over. … Single-digit turnovers is always going to be a goal for us.”

KWC, which committed 14 turnovers per game in its first two losses, had only eight miscues against Simmons (0-1).

The Panthers scored the first 10 points of the game, sparked by a putback dunk from Jones on the opening possession, and never looked back.

“That was good to have that tip dunk right off the bat,” Cooper said of the 6-foot-5 senior forward. “He settled in and he made a couple of shots in the second half.

“Eddy knows when he didn’t play his best, he didn’t have a good weekend up there on Friday, Sunday, and we need him to play better. … Our best is going to require Eddy Jones to be playing his best, so he’ll get there.”

Wesleyan limited Simmons to only 31% shooting from the field in the first half as it zipped out to a 50-21 lead at intermission.

Franklin Sampson scored to trim the Simmons deficit to 59-33 with 12:24 remaining, but the Panthers didn’t give up any further ground. Wesleyan scored 20 of the next 25 points to cement its first victory.

Gavin Reed added nine points for Wesleyan, Fatih Huyuk recorded eight points and 10 rebounds, and Terrence Ringo Jr. posted eight points with…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/panthers-roll-simmons-home-opener-045900913.html

Author : Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

Publish date : 2024-11-16 04:59:00

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