Despite a strong defensive effort from the Kenyon College men's basketball team, Ohio Wesleyan University was able to get enough shots to fall to defeat the Lords by a count of 72-57 Saturday afternoon at Tomsich Arena. 
 
The 72 points scored for the Battling Bishops was two points shy of their lowest offensive output of the season. The defensive effort was reflected in Ohio Wesleyan's uncharacteristic struggles from three-point range, where they finished at just 25 percent (7-of-28).  
 
A slow start for the Lords allowed OWU to jump out to a 26-9 advantage over the game's first 11:25. Nate Axelrod led the way for the Battling Bishops, scoring 24 points while Seth Clark pitched in with 21.
 
The Lords cut the deficit, as many as 19 at one point, down to just seven with 3:43 to go. Axelrod knocked down a three-point shot to push the advantage back to 10. After a Kenyon basket, Clark managed to knock down another shot from long range. Clark scored 10 of his 21 points in the game's last 2:20.
 
Offensively, the Lords struggled to get going throughout the game. Kenyon shot just 19.4 percent (7-of-36) in the first half, finishing the game at 31.9 percent (23-of-72). Tim Connolly managed to be productive, leading the Lords with 18 points with five rebounds. Brian Comey led the effort on the glass with 15 rebounds to go along with nine points.
 
Up next, Kenyon will host Denison University in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, February 10, following a matchup between the women's squads from each respective school. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 8:00 p.m.