(OWENSBORO, Kentucky) – Lake Erie fell in a defensive battle to hosting Kentucky Wesleyan by a score of 65-51 at the Sportscenter on Thursday evening. The Storm (12-8, 6-4) held the Panthers (7-11, 6-5) below five percentage points below their season average, but also faced shooting woes themselves through the game.

The Storm were left without a shooter making more than three baskets from the field in the contest, and only Gabe Kynard (Sr., Toledo, Ohio / St. John's) reached double figures after he scored 15 points. He nearly hit the mark from the charity stripe as he went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

On the opposite end, the Panthers' Wyatt Battaile seemed to be the only one on either side hitting a flow as he led the game with 19 points. He was 6-of-12 from the field, but made the most damage behind the 3-point line where he was 5-of-8. Adam Goetz was the only other player in the game in double figures as he tallied 16 and was 12-for-14 at the line.

Ennis Thomas (Sr., Westerville, Ohio / Westerville South) had a strong game off the bench as he went 3-for-4 for the Green and White to chalk up eight points. Harrison Riggs (Jr., Toledo, Ohio / St. John's) was also a bucket shy of double figures as he went 3-for-6 from the field.

Lake Erie will have another crack at Kentucky Wesleyan a week from Saturday, but the Storm has another opponent lined up for this Saturday first. The Storm will stay on the road and head to the Music City to take on Trevecca Nazarene to close out the longest conference road trip of the season. Tip-off with the Trojans is set for 5:15 p.m. EST.