Georgia Acompanado (#3), Kentucky Wesleyan.

OWENSBORO, KY — Kentucky Wesleyan College opened its season on its home floor Friday night with a statement in the third quarter, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit to defeat Roosevelt University 81-76 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in the opening game of the CCA Division II Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Classic.

After trailing 35-29 at the break, the Panthers delivered their best stretch of basketball in the third quarter, outscoring Roosevelt 30-13 to flip the game and take a 59-48 advantage into the final period.

It was a response that changed the direction of the night.

Roosevelt had controlled much of the first half, building a 35-29 lead behind Kelly Boyle, who knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a game-high 22 points. Kentucky Wesleyan stayed within reach, however, and entered halftime with an opportunity to make a run.

The Panthers took advantage.

Kentucky Wesleyan found its rhythm offensively in the third quarter, shooting 11-of-17 from the field while getting contributions throughout the lineup. Emma Bruwer, Georgia Acompanado, Alexis Shehan and Hilary Shikuku helped fuel the turnaround as the Panthers transformed a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead.

The defensive effort was just as important. Kentucky Wesleyan forced turnovers and converted them into opportunities on the other end, with Acompanado finishing the night with five steals.

The Panthers carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, extending their advantage to as many as 16 points at 66-50 with 6:37 remaining.

Roosevelt wasn’t finished.

The Lakers began chipping away at the deficit, using their perimeter shooting to make things uncomfortable down the stretch. A three-pointer from Boyle brought Roosevelt within six at 73-67 with 2:38 remaining. Isabella Pitta followed with a basket at the 1:01 mark, cutting the margin to just two points at 74-72.

With the game suddenly in reach, Kentucky Wesleyan needed to finish at the free-throw line.

Bruwer and Shehan came through in the closing seconds, combining to make seven free throws in the final 27 seconds as the Panthers held off Roosevelt’s comeback attempt.

Bruwer led Kentucky Wesleyan with 19 points and seven rebounds, going 5-of-13 from the field and 8-of-11 at the free-throw line.

Acompanado added 17 points, six rebounds and five steals while Shehan finished with 14 points. Shikuku provided a major lift off the bench, scoring 12 points without missing a field-goal attempt, finishing 5-of-5 from the floor and 1-of-1 from three-point range.

Ricky Kapteijn contributed nine points and three assists.

Kentucky Wesleyan finished the night shooting 45.8% from the field and scored 40 points in the paint. The Panthers also turned 18 turnovers into 23 points.

Roosevelt finished with four players in double figures, led by Boyle’s 22 points. Braelyn Torres added 13 points, while Pitta contributed 10.

The victory gives Kentucky Wesleyan a 1-0 start to the season and opens the two-day CCA D2 Tip-Off Classic on a winning note for the host program.

The nationally recognized event brings eight Division II women’s basketball programs to Owensboro, with five participating teams having competed in the 2025-26 NCAA Division II national tournament.

For the Panthers, the opening night provided an early opportunity to establish momentum in front of their home crowd. They’ll look to carry that momentum into Saturday’s matchup against Carson-Newman as the Tip-Off Classic continues at the Sportscenter.

SNAPSHOT

KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE
FINAL: Kentucky Wesleyan 81, Roosevelt 76
RECORD: 1-0

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Emma Bruwer: 19 points, 7 rebounds
Georgia Acompanado: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals
Alexis Shehan: 14 points
Hilary Shikuku: 12 points (5-of-5 FG)

NEXT UP: vs. Carson-Newman — Saturday, November 7, 6:30 p.m.

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY
FINAL: Roosevelt 76, Kentucky Wesleyan 81
RECORD: 0-1

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Kelly Boyle: 22 points (5 three-pointers)
Braelyn Torres: 13 points
Isabella Pitta: 10 points

NEXT UP: vs. Missouri Western — Saturday, November 7, 4:15 p.m.