OWENSBORO, Ky. - Winona State (2-1) was undone by a 17-4 first half run, falling 77-61 to Kentucky Wesleyan (4-2) in the first of two games at the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic. Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Riley Bambenek, who had 13. 

The game started with a three from Bambenek on the first possession. Bambenek would score Winona State's first eight points of the game. The Warriors lead would be six, 14-8 after a layup from Kyle Bauman at the 13:55 mark. Winona State would hold their lead until late in the first half. 

Kentucky Wesleyan would take their first lead of the game at 25-23 and pushed it to as much as eight with 2:15 left on the clock. The KWC lead would be eight at the final buzzer of the first half as a pair of late free throws gave them a 37-29 advantage. 

The Panthers would extend their lead to double-digits, 49-39 just before the 15 minute mark of the second half. The lead would grow to nineteen, 63-44, and the Warriors were never able to recover. Kentucky Wesleyan outshot the Warriors 52.0-35.7% in the second half. 

Corey Jeffs added 12 points while Charlie Koontz and Isaiah Gray each added ten. The Warriors hit nine shots from behind the arc on Friday.

Winona State will try to rebound tomorrow afternoon against Carson-Newman at 2 p.m. in the third place game.