ELKINS – The Davis & Elkins College Men's Basketball team overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to defeat Kentucky Wesleyan 76-75 on Saturday in Great Midwest play.
 
Senior Rickenjee Bellevue capped of his career at the McDonnell Center on Senior Day with a double-double to lead the way for the Senators in their first-ever victory over Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
The teams traded the lead multiple times in the first half, with neither team getting more than four points ahead of the other in what proved to be an extremely tight basketball game, going into the break with the visitors leading 36-35.
 
However, the Panthers found their stroke from behind the arc, hitting several big three pointers to fuel a 26-8 run over the first seven minutes of the second half.
 
Trailing by 19, the Senators slowly chipped away at Kentucky Wesleyan's lead, getting to within four points with 2:42 remaining.
 
After the Panthers made a layup to go up by six, Edmund Parker hit a three pointer and Kevin Simpson made a layup on the next possession to cut the deficit to just one point with 1:09 remaining.
 
After the Senators defense forced a turnover with 20 seconds to go in the game, the Senators took possession needing one point to tie the game.
 
Jordan McElveen then made a layup to give the Senators the lead with eight seconds remaining and the defense held on to earn the victory after Kentucky Wesleyan's shot as time expired was no good.
 
Bellevue led the Senators with by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. He also had four blocks in the game.
 
McElveen finished with 14 points and four rebounds in the contest. He also had two steals and two assists.
 
Trevor English joined the duo in double figures, finishing with 12 points, while also grabbing six rebounds.
 
Donte Doleman had nine points and a team-high six assists in the game, while Simspon and Parker each finished with eight points.
 
The Senators will travel to Cedarville to take on the Yellow Jackets on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Ohio.