HILLSBORO, Kan. - The Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball team could not slow down the Tabor College Bluejays in the second half of Saturday's game inside the Tabor College Gymnasium.
Tabor shot 64.5 percent from the field and scored 62 points in the second half as the Bluejays came away with a 97-90 win over the Coyotes.
Wesleyan led by 10 points at 55-45 with 15:51 left in the game, but Tabor turned the tides on the heels of a 21-2 run that gave the Bluejays a 66-57 lead with 10:44 to go.
The difference proved to be too much for the Coyotes to overcome.
KWU made it interesting down the stretch though, getting within three with 7:37 left on a 3-pointer by Brandon Avedon, but the Coyotes could get no closer the rest of the way.
Gabe Phillips got the Coyotes within four with 5:27 left at 78-74, but an 8-0 run by Tabor gave the Bluejays a 12-point cushion.
Wesleyan made one last push getting within five with less than a minute left, but could not get any closer.
Things started out slow for both teams who hadn't played in over two weeks - Tabor since December 13, and KWU since an exhibition game on December 17.
KWU had the lead in the first half, but couldn't shake the Bluejays entirely during the first 20 minutes. The Coyotes led by five 21-16 with 10:29 left on a free throw by Aidan Leckband, but Tabor again cut it to two points at 21-19.
The Coyotes used an 8-0 run to take a 29-19 lead with 6:04 left in the first but Tabor hung close, cutting the difference to six at the half at 41-35.
KWU opened the second half keeping the Bluejays at arm's length, holding the 55-45 lead when Tabor made its big run.
Brandon Avedon and Evens Appolon scored 19 each to lead the Coyotes while Matthew Garber had 13 and Braylin Goins had 12. KWU was 33 of 79 from the field for 41.8 percent for the game. Appolon led the Coyotes with eight rebounds and a 39-25 advantage on the boards.
Tabor had three players score 20 or more led by Khalil Allen with 24. Marque Wilkerson had 22 and Jake Weaver had 20. The Bluejays were 34 of 62 from the field for 54.8 percent for the game.