Box Score
The Rangers dropped a heartbreaker, 81-78 in overtime Thursday night against Kentucky Wesleyan College. Trailing 72-69, the Panthers' Anthony Young tossed in prayer with 1.3 seconds left in regulation to tie the game before KWC went on to win in the extra session. It was the conference opener for both teams.
The Rangers fell to 4-2 overall (0-1 GLVC) while Kentucky Wesleyan improved to 5-0 (1-0 in the GLVC). KWC came into the game ranked 9th in the nation in the most recent Division II Men's Basketball poll. The Panthers entered this game averaging 109 points a game but got all they could handle and more from the Rangers. A game that saw 11 ties and eight lead changes had everyone on the edge of their seat for the majority of the contest.
Parkside battled early and often and went into the half with a 37-28 lead. UWP closed out the half on a 10-0 run and appeared ready to seize a conference opening victory.
Steve Jaskulske finished the half with a team-high nine points as once again the Rangers balance showed its value. Eleven different players scored in the opening half for UWP.
UW-Parkside shutdown the formidable offense of Kentucky Wesleyan throughout the first half, holding them to 10-of-32 from the field and 0-for-7 from the three-point line.
Each time Parkside appeared ready to seize the victory, the Panthers came back with an answer.
Leneal Harris knocked down a clutch three to give the Rangers a five point lead but KWC, down 70-65 with 28 seconds left, mustered one final push to find a way to get the game to overtime.
After Dominique Dawson made a quick bucket with 17 ticks left, Brandon Johnson got a steal and a lay-up to draw the Panthers within one point at 70-69.
On the inbound pass the Panthers fouled Ziggy Riauka who drained two free throws to give the Rangers a 72-69 lead with nine seconds left.
Brandon Johnson circled across the baseline and kicked it out to Young just outside the arc. With airtight defense surrounding him Young reached around the side with a desperation heave that found the hoop.
Jeremy Saffold's 60-footer at the buzzer hit the back of the iron adding five more minutes to the ball game.
In overtime the Rangers had a pair of two-point leads on baskets by Ziggy Riauka. But Cardell McFarland hit a three from the wing and Young got a lay-up to make it 79-76. Riauka cut it to one again with a lay-up and foul. Unfortunately his ensuing free throw rattled out and the Panthers maintained a one-point lead.
Parkside got the stop it needed but a pair of jumpers missed the mark and the Rangers were forced to foul with five seconds left.
Kreig Oxley made both free throws to push the lead to 81-78. The Rangers advanced the ball quickly up the sideline but Saffold's three to tie it rimmed out as the horn sounded.
Riauka led UWP with 15 points and six rebounds while Saffold recorded 13 points and five rebounds. The Ranger defense was solid most of the night limiting the high-octane Panthers to just 39.2% from the field (29-for-74) and 20.0% (3-for-15) from the three-point line.
Parkside also held a big advantage on the glass, 55-43.
Kevin Senechalle led the way with seven. As a team UWP pulled down 19 offensive rebounds. The bench also outscored the Panthers subs, 28-9
The Rangers will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon against #5 Southern Indiana. Tipoff is at 3:00 p.m.
