POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Wesleyan men's basketball takes home the Hochberg Family Tip-Off Tournament Championship, defeating Elizabethtown in the championship game 85-61. The Cardinals pulled away once again in the second half to put away the Blue Jays. They were led by tournament MVP and All-Tournament team member in Sam Peek '22 who followed his career-high 26-point performance with 10 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes in the tournament final.

The Cardinals complete their New York trip with a 2-0 record and a tournament championship. The Elizabethtown Blue Jays drop their first game of the year to move to 2-1.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

• It was only right that tournament MVP Sam Peek opened up the game with a bucket. Peek finished a layup on Wesleyan's first possession to give them an early lead. The score on one end was followed up with a big block by Jordan James '22 that really set the tone for the Cards in the first 20 minutes
• A 13-2 run capped off by an Antone Walker '22 three-point play, gave the Cardinals some breathing room with 6:06 remaining in the first half.
• Elizabethtown made a mini run to end the half that stopped the bleeding. Their 8-2 run was able to cut the Wesleyan lead back down to 12 going into halftime.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

• The combination of James and Walker led the way early for the Cardinals, extending the halftime lead to 17
• The Wesleyan defense was locked in to start the second half, not allowing a field goal for five minutes after a Blue Jay three on their first possession
• Another big surge from the Cardinals came 10 minutes in on the strength of their defense. Wesleyan forced multiple turnovers on the way, increasing their lead to 29
• Wesleyan outscored Elizabethtown 49-37 in the second half, which included 8-for-18 shooting from distance

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Wesleyan had five players in double figures, led by Nicky Johnson '25 and Gabe Ravetz '22 with 12 points each
• Sam Peek led the way in the tournament notching 18 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest
• This is Wesleyan's fifth straight tip-off tournament championship
• Wesleyan once again got good production from their bench, as they produced 36 points

WHAT'S NEXT:

• Wesleyan will return back to Middletown for their home opener against Purchase College (0-2) on November 17th. The game will be at Silloway Gymnasium at 7:00 PM.