Carson Sisk (#21), Kentucky Wesleyan.

OWENSBORO, KY — Kentucky Wesleyan erased most of a 20-point deficit Saturday night, putting together a furious fourth-quarter rally that brought the Panthers within two points in the closing seconds. But the comeback ran out of time as No. 13 Carson-Newman held on for a 76-72 victory in the second day of the CCA Division II Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Classic at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

The Panthers faced a steep climb after a difficult first half. Carson-Newman built a 40-20 halftime advantage, limiting Kentucky Wesleyan to just eight field goals on 33 attempts through the opening two quarters.

The second quarter was particularly tough for the Panthers. Kentucky Wesleyan went 2-of-17 from the field and missed all eight of its three-point attempts as Carson-Newman extended its lead.

The Eagles maintained that 20-point cushion through the third quarter, taking a 61-41 advantage into the final period.

Kentucky Wesleyan needed a major response, and the Panthers delivered their best offensive stretch of the night.

The Panthers scored 31 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 12-of-19 from the field to make the game interesting. Emma Bruwer helped lead the charge, while Georgia Acompanado and the rest of the lineup chipped away at the Carson-Newman advantage.

Lily Hoagland knocked down a three-pointer to help start the comeback. Bruwer followed with a three-pointer at 3:33 remaining to cut the deficit to seven at 68-61. After Carson-Newman’s Mattie Nuckolls answered with a three, Kentucky Wesleyan continued pressing.

A Bruwer basket and free throw, followed by an Acompanado layup, brought the Panthers within five at 71-66. Acompanado scored again with 49 seconds remaining to make it 72-68.

The margin continued to shrink in the final seconds.

Bruwer converted two free throws with 12 seconds left, and after Nuckolls made two at the other end, Bruwer scored again with seven seconds remaining to pull Kentucky Wesleyan within 74-72.

The Panthers had turned a 20-point deficit into a two-point game, but Carson-Newman made the plays it needed at the free-throw line. Cybil Penland converted both attempts with five seconds left, and a final three-point attempt by Acompanado came up short as the Eagles secured the four-point win.

Nuckolls was the difference offensively for Carson-Newman, finishing with a game-high 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting. She also pulled down six rebounds. Delaney Weddington added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Keeleigh Rogers contributed 10 points, five assists, four steals and two blocks.

Bruwer led Kentucky Wesleyan with 19 points, going 6-of-14 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. Hilary Shikuku added 12 points off the bench, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 4-of-6 at the line.

Acompanado finished with eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Ricky Kapteijn added six points, four rebounds and three assists.

Kentucky Wesleyan finished the game shooting 40.3% from the field and 23.1% from three-point range. The Panthers also held a 38-36 advantage in rebounds, including 14 offensive rebounds, and forced 21 Carson-Newman turnovers. Kentucky Wesleyan scored 26 points off the bench.

The loss leaves Kentucky Wesleyan at 1-1 on the season after Friday night’s 81-76 win over Roosevelt. The Panthers showed their ability to make a late push against Carson-Newman, but the slow start created a deficit that ultimately proved too large to overcome.

SNAPSHOT

KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE
FINAL: Kentucky Wesleyan 72, Carson-Newman 76
RECORD: 1-1

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Emma Bruwer: 19 points, 4 rebounds
Hilary Shikuku: 12 points
Georgia Acompanado: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Ricky Kapteijn: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

NEXT UP: at University of Indianapolis — Sunday, November 15, 1 p.m. CT

CARSON-NEWMAN UNIVERSITY
FINAL: Carson-Newman 76, Kentucky Wesleyan 72
RECORD: 1-0

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Mattie Nuckolls: 32 points, 6 rebounds
Delaney Weddington: 12 points, 7 rebounds
Keeleigh Rogers: 10 points, 5 assists, 4 steals