THE BASICS:

Score: Wesleyan 65, Trinity 61
Records: Wesleyan (13-3, 2-2 NESCAC); Trinity (10-5, 2-0 NESCAC)
Location: Middletown, Conn.
Date: Saturday, January 14
Time: 3 p.m.
The Lead: Joseph Kuo '17 recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Wesleyan University men's basketball team held on to defeat in-state rival Trinity College in a NESCAC thriller Saturday at home, 65-61.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

• Wesleyan came out hot to start the game and jumped out to a 10-2 lead in just 3:14 of play. 
• At the 12:58 mark, a lay-up by Jordan Sears '18 gave the Cardinals a 10-point lead, and another lay-up from Salim Green '19 seconds later put the home team ahead, 18-6, forcing a Trinity timeout.
• The Bantams responded with a 6-0 run, but Wesleyan scored four straight to regain a double-digit lead.
• Trailing 32-21 with 1:06 to play in the half, a three from Jeremy Arthur followed by a jumper by Langdon Neal right before the clock expired cut Trinity's deficit to six at the half, 32-26.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

• The final 20 minutes of regulation went back-and-forth throughout, with neither team able to pull away.
• Trinity got within three early in the second half following a lay-up from Chris Turnbull at the 17:28 mark.
• Harry Rafferty '17 hit two three-pointers just over a minute apart to lift Wesleyan back up by eight, 45-37 with 12:14 to play in regulation.
• Ed Ogundeko cut the deficit to three once again at the 6:56 mark, but a three-pointer from Nathan Krill '18 followed by a steal and fast break lay-up by the 6-7 forward gave the Cardinals another eight-point advantage, up 52-44 with 5:50 remaining.
• Chris Turnbull scored 10 points for Trinity in the final 2:13 of play to get the Bantams within two, however, just :00.5 remained on the clock as Salim Green '19 sealed the victory at the line shortly after.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Kuo's double-double was the third of the season for the senior forward. Rafferty scored a game-high 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, Green scored 12 points and Kevin O'Brien '19 pulled in a career-high 11 rebounds, dished out a game-high four assists and recorded two steals, while scoring seven points.
• Trinity was led by Ogundeko's 17 points and Turnbull's 13. Ogundeko also corralled a team-high eight rebounds, while Turnbull grabbed six.
• Despite a very competitive game, Saturday's contest featured zero ties and zero lead changes.

HEAD COACH JOE REILLY:

• "A great second day NESCAC game for the Cardinals. We showed a lot of grit against a very good team, and it's a great opportunity to learn from our mistakes and continue to get better."

UP NEXT:

• Wesleyan is back in action Wednesday, Jan. 18 and will host non-conference foe Emmanuel. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
• The Bantams return to the court Friday, Jan. 20 and will host Colby at 7 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

Facebook l Twitter l Instagram l YouTube l Flickr l Mobile App l Email Sign Up