OWENSBORO, Ky.- The Salem University men's basketball team beat Kentucky Wesleyan 79-70 at Kentucky Wesleyan's Thanksgiving Classic, Friday night.
 
The win boosts the Tigers to 4-1 on the season.
 
The Tigers were led by senior Kanayo Obi-Rapu who had a high of 19 points. Obi-Rapu shot 53.3 percent from the court with three of his shots coming from outside the arch.
 
Senior Christopher Shields contributed with 18 points, while senior Malik Toppin had a game high of eleven rebounds.
 
Junior Malique Ross added to the team with eight assists.
 
As a team, Salem shot 45.9 percent from the field and 83.3 from the free throw line.
 
The Tigers outscored the Panthers in points off turnovers 16-11, whereas Kentucky Wesleyan had more second chance points than Salem 15-7.
 
Salem outscored the Panthers in both halves with their biggest lead in the game being five points, calling for a close game entirely.
 
In the second half the score went back and forth until 6:11 left in the game when Obi-Rapu made a jumper to increase the Tigers' lead 70-68, where they would keep the lead the rest of the game.
 
The Panthers were led by Zavon Godwin with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists.
 
The Tigers are set to play the University of Montevallo tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. est again in Owensboro, Ky. for the Kentucky Wesleyan Thanksgiving Classic.