NORTH CANTON, Ohio - In a battle of two of the top teams in the G-MAC, the Walsh Cavaliers women's basketball team opened 2020 against the 13-0 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers at Alumni Arena on Thursday (Jan. 2) evening. 

A hot start from the Cavaliers lifted them to a 75-65 win over the Panthers, handing them their first loss of the year. Walsh improved to 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the conference with the sixth straight win. 

The Panthers opened the game with a layup but their lead was erased by a Megan Ball three pointer. Ball opened an 11-0 run over three minutes. Lexie Scarton added two threes and Quionche Carter gave the Cavaliers a steal and fast break layup on the run. Kentucky Wesleyan halted the run with a layup but Kimmie Borck nailed three treys as Walsh pushed the lead to 20-8 with 3:36 left in the first quarter. The Cavaliers closed the first quarter with a 6-2 run, leading 26-12 after the first period. 

The run carried over into the second quarter as Walsh scored the first seven points of the quarter, opening the lead to 33-12 in the first minute. Carter and Mayci Sales each scored a basket while Jamie Halloran made a three pointer. Kentucky Wesleyan cut the lead to 15 twice in the period but trailed 46-29 at the halftime break. 

Walsh shot 47% (16-34) from the floor in the opening half, fueled by nine three pointers. 

Kentucky Wesleyan started the third quarter with a 12-2 run as the lead slimmed to 48-41 with 3:03 left in the frame. Over the final three minutes, Walsh regained a double-digit lead with a 7-2 run. The Cavaliers led 55-43 going to the fourth quarter. 

The Cavaliers did not allow the Panthers to pull within eight points in the fourth quarter as they kept at least a three possession lead for most of the last ten minutes. Walsh was victorious 75-65 in the first game of the decade. 

Borck led the Cavaliers with a season-high 17 points, knocking down four threes and three free throws. Carter gave a 16 point, seven rebound, four assist night with five field goals and six free throws. Tyler Newkirk was all over the court as she scored 11 points, grabbed nine boards and dished out seven assists (tying a career-high). She was six-of-six from the free throw line. Scarton finished with ten points while Mayci Sales gave Walsh her fourth double-double of the year. Sales scored ten points with 14 rebounds and three blocks. 

Overall, Walsh was outshot 43% (23-54) to 36% (23-64) but made up with ten three pointers to KWC's four threes. The Cavaliers forced a season-high 23 turnovers for KWC, turning them in for 23 points. 

The Cavaliers will host Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday (Jan. 4) at 4:00 PM at Alumni Arena. 

-WC-