OWENSBORO, Ky. — Naba Echols posted 17 points, but the Northern Michigan men's basketball team fell to host Kentucky Wesleyan, 72-63, in its opening game of the Kentucky Wesleyan Classic Friday afternoon at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

The Panthers ran out to a 10-6 lead in the game's first six minutes, capitalizing on Wildcat fouls to make four free throws.

But Northern Michigan cut the deficit to one on the strength of a Jordan Perez three-pointer with 13:14 on the clock and then took its first lead, at 19-16, on the strength of an 8-0 run that concluded with a Donnell Cegers layup at 9:28.

Kentucky Wesleyan responded to tie the game at 19 all on its next possession and outscored the Wildcats, 14-12, the rest of the way. 

Terry Nash made a layup with 24 seconds on the clock to cut the Panther advantage to 33-31 going into halftime. In the first half, Perez totaled seven points while Nash added six and two steals.

After Alex Mustert tied the game at 33 all in the second half's first minute, Kentucky Wesleyan proceed to go on a 14-6 run to build a 47-39 advantage by the 15:53 mark of the half. The Wildcats clawed their way back into the game, at one point drawing within a single bucket at 8:08 when Mustert made a layup to make the score 59-57, but that was as close as they would get.

Northern Michigan went 7 for 18 from behind the arc and 6 for 10 at the free throw line.

The Panthers were paced by reigning Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Ken-Jah Bosley, who totaled 20 points. Jordan Jacks (12), C.J. Blackwell (11) and Jermaine Morgan (10) also reached the double figures for Kentucky Wesleyan.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 0-2 on the season. They return to action tomorrow, continuing Kentucky Wesleyan Classic play against Southern Wesleyan at 3 p.m.