KWU Basketball Falls Short in KCAC Opener

Kansas Wesleyan Falls in KCAC Opener to Ottawa

Kansas Wesleyan dropped its Kansas Conference opener in a 92–86 overtime loss to Ottawa on Saturday night at Mabee Arena. The Coyotes controlled much of the game, holding a 44–38 halftime lead and later building a nine-point advantage with just over eight m

minutes remaining. Despite the strong start, Kansas Wesleyan struggled to maintain momentum in the closing stretch.

Ottawa’s Late Run Shifts Momentum

Midway through the second half, Ottawa seized control with an 18–4 run that erased the Coyote lead. The Braves found their rhythm offensively, converting key shots while Kansas Wesleyan went cold from the field. Ottawa took a late lead, but the Coyotes responded with a determined push, tying the game in the final seconds to force overtime.

Overtime Breaks the Tie

Kansas Wesleyan struck first in overtime and held a narrow lead early. Ottawa, however, countered with nine unanswered points that created a separation the Coyotes could not overcome. Kansas Wesleyan trimmed the deficit to four in the final half-minute, but a late Ottawa basket and a turnover ended the comeback attempt.

Shooting Struggles Hurt Kansas Wesleyan

One of the biggest issues for the Coyotes was perimeter shooting. Kansas Wesleyan went just 2 of 19 from three-point range, making it difficult to keep pace once Ottawa heated up. Despite the struggles from deep, the Coyotes remained competitive by winning the rebounding battle and dominating points in the paint. Defensive breakdowns, however, allowed Ottawa to capitalize in key moments throughout the second half and overtime.

Current Record & Upcoming Schedule

Following the loss, Kansas Wesleyan holds a 2–4 overall record. The Coyotes are still early in their conference slate and have multiple opportunities to climb the standings.

Kansas Wesleyan faces a challenging stretch that includes:

• A road game at McPherson, a solid early-season opponent

• Several conference matchups through late November and December, many of which come against programs that are traditionally competitive in the KCAC

• A mix of home and away contests that will test the Coyotes’ ability to finish close games and sustain leads

This upcoming run will be an important indicator of how the young Kansas Wesleyan team adapts, grows, and handles in-game pressure — areas highlighted by the coaching staff as essential for improvement.

Looking Ahead

As Kansas Wesleyan prepares for its next conference matchup, the focus will be on generating more consistent offense, improving late-game execution, and building on the strong moments they showed in the paint and on the boards. With several weeks of conference play ahead, the Coyotes have ample time to rebound and position themselves for a competitive run in KCAC action.