NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers women's basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers in a crucial Great Midwest matchup on Thursday (Dec. 9) night at Alumni Arena. 

In a back-and-forth matchup, Kentucky Wesleyan held off the Cavaliers 69-66 as Walsh fell 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference. 

• Score: Kentucky Wesleyan 69, Walsh 66
• Location: North Canton, Ohio (Alumni Arena)
• Records: Walsh 5-2 (1-1), Kentucky Wesleyan 6-3 (3-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter featured three lead changes and three ties as the teams battled from the outset. With a 21-18 lead after one quarter, the Panthers extended the lead to 29-18 with a 10-0 run over the first five minutes of the second quarter.
• Walsh answered with a 14-3 run over the final five minutes, tying the game at 32 at the intermission. Sha Carter and Morgan McMillen each had five points on the run.
• The lead changed hands five times in the third quarter as both teams scored 14 points. The Panthers led by as many as four but Walsh evened the score twice as the game was 46-46 after three periods. 
• The fourth quarter was just as intense with five lead changes and four ties. Sha Carter tied the game at 64 with 1:12 left but the Panthers expanded the lead to 69-66 pending a last second shot for the Cavaliers. McMillen's shot was no good as Kentucky Wesleyan won 69-66. 

FOR THE CAVALIERS

• Sha Carter led with 17 points on seven-of-15 shooting, including seven rebounds. 
• Morgan McMillen added 16 points and four assists as she knocked down five field goals with three triples. 
• Lexie Scarton finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. 
• Mayci Sales was short of a double-double with seven points and ten rebounds.

FOR THE PANTHERS

• Tahlia Walton led all players with 23 points and 12 rebounds. 
• Rachel Richardson added ten points off the bench. 

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

• Walsh finished the game with a 41.7% (25-60) shooting percentage while shooting over 21.7% from deep. The Cavaliers made five of 23 three pointers. 
• Kentucky Wesleyan shot 47.3% (26-55) from the floor and 33.3% (6-18) from three-point land. 
• Walsh was outrebounded with 35 rebounds, compared to 36 for KWC. The offensive board battle was Walsh's with 14 boards, leading to 16 second chance points. 

Walsh will return to the court on Saturday (Dec. 11) at 1:00 PM as they host the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans at Alumni Arena. 

-WC-