OWENSBORO, Ky. — The town is nestled in the heart of basketball country — just where Karly and Kourtney Rhoads wanted to be.

Kentucky Wesleyan College, a small Division II school with barely more than 600 students, sits in the middle of Owensboro, which claims Johnny Depp as its most famous native and is the self-proclaimed BBQ capital of the world.

But the Rhoads twins, stars on the high school hardwood at Slippery Rock High, didn't trek to Kentucky for the ribs. They went to Kentucky Wesleyan to play basketball the only way they knew how — together.

“We always love playing together,” Kourtney said. “We enjoy it.”

“It wouldn't be the same without her,” Karly added.

The twins were recruited heavily out of high school. Both scored more than 1,000 points in their careers with the Rockets, but few schools wanted them as a package deal.

Kentucky Wesleyan did.

As freshmen last season, Karly and Kourtney were part of history at the school. The Panthers advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time in the 35-year existence of the program.

Karly averaged 8.8 points per game; Kourtney 6.4.

This season, the twins are off to similar starts on a team that runs an up-tempo attack and uses a plethora of players.

“It's fun.” Kourtney said. “It's fun to know you are going to get your minutes, whether you start or come off the bench.”

The twins have done both this season. With the way the Panthers attack the opponent, the distinction between starter and sub is blurred.

Ten players average at least 14 minutes per game.

“When they are in there for three or four minutes, they've got to be going all out,” said Kentucky Wesleyan co-coach Caleb Neiman in a story on the school's website. Neiman shares the coaching responsibilities with his wife, Nicole. “It's hard to go that speed for more than that amount of time. That gives us balanced minutes, and then that results in balanced scoring.”

Karly said she has gotten more physical since she started playing for the Panthers, almost out of necessity because of the demanding defense they play.

She said she still has some work to do.

“I have improved on my physicality, but I have more improving to do,” Karly said. “I've also learned to slow down and be more calm out there. I've gotten a lot better as a player.”

Kourtney said her game has improved markedly, as well.

“Oh, yeah, I feel like I'm a much better player,” she said. The proof has been in the results — she's averaging seven points per game and is leading the team in 3-pointers to go with her stifling defense.

“Defensively, I'm much better,” she added. “I'm more than just a 3-point shooter now.”

Karly has started just one game, but is one of only two players on the roster averaging more than 20 minutes per contest. She's averaging 7.4 points and has been perfect from the free-throw line (14-of-14).

“I've learned a lot since I've gotten here — it's a completely different game at the college level,” Karly said. “There were some things I had to adjust to, but I feel like I'm getting better every day. That's what's important.”