Kentucky Wesleyan pulls away for 87-67 win over MSUB

ANAHEIM — Two Kentucky Wesleyan players had double-doubles as the Panthers defeated Montana State-Billings, 87-67, in game five of the men’s division of the Disney's Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic.

The eight-team tournament is presented by Disney’s Wide World of Sports and the Disneyland Resort. The three-day men’s and women’s basketball tournament is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

Lorenzo Taylor had 23 and 10 rebounds and Jeff Fahnbulleh scored 17 points and grabbed 12 boards to lead KWC (2-1). Maurice Blakey scored 14 and T.J. Smith chipped in 11. Smith also had seven assists, a block and three steals.

Jeff Miner and John Brooks led the Yellowjackets with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Aaron Terry chipped in 10 for MSUB (0-3). Tyler Hentzen scored seven and pulled eight boards.

Kentucky Wesleyan dominated the board, out-rebounding MSUB 48-27. The Yellowjackets remained in the game by converting on 25 of 34 free throw attempts.

KWC led by as many as 18 points halfway through the first half before settling for a 46-33 halftime lead. MSUB got as close as seven points at 15:17 in the second half after a Brooks layup, but a 17-4 run in the next 3 1/2 minutes by the Panthers to put the game out of reach.