MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Add another chapter to the lengthy history of the Wesleyan vs. Amherst series as this version was another instant classic. In a back-and-forth dual that featured 15 ties and 19 lead changes, Mammoth senior Grant Robinson hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 11 seconds left in the overtime period before Amherst iced the game away on a Tim McCarthy steal in the waning seconds as the visitors celebrated a gritty 83-81 victory on Friday night from Silloway Gymnasium.
 
In the 124^th all-time meeting, this showdown had an eerily similar vibe to the two sides' non-conference, Little 3 contest back in early January where Wesleyan (16-3, 4-1 NESCAC) pulled out a 94-85 road win in triple overtime. With a strong student body showing on-hand and on their feet in the stands, Amherst (12-6, 3-3 NESCAC) proved capable to the task, forcing three consecutive turnovers on Wesleyan's final three possessions to set the stage for the Robinson make which came off an offensive rebound from Tim McCarthy after a Garrett Day miss from deep.
 
Five Cardinals finished in double figures led by Sam Peek '22 who tallied 17 points, doing most of his damage from the free throw line as he hit 9-of-10 from the charity stripe while adding eight rebounds and there steals in 37 minutes. Antone Walker '22 hit a career milestone in the second half, scoring his 1000^th career point, becoming the 24^th Cardinal in program history to accomplish the feat. Walker finished the night with 14 points. Nicky Johnson '25 was rock solid all night, racking up 10 points, career-high eight assists and four rebounds. Gabe Ravetz '23 and Jordan James '22 both finished with 10 points apiece.
 
The lead changed hands early and often in the first half as it was back-and-forth until Joe DeLollo '22 hit a three that bounced high off the rim and in to make it 13-9 Cardinals almost six minutes into play. Amherst answered back with a mini 7-0 run capped by a three from Devonn Allen. The Mammoths continued to hold a slight lead as it grew to as many as four on several occasions up until the final minute as Peek finished off a feed from Preston Maccoux '23 in transition before Ravetz beat the buzzer on a three-pointer as Walker drew multiple defenders into the paint before whipping a pass around two Mammoth defenders to an open Ravetz on the wing.
 
Wesleyan went into the halftime locker room leading 36-34 and a great start saw James hit from deep in the paint before Maccoux drained in a triple as suddenly it was 41-34 Cardinals. The lead grew to nine, Wesleyan's biggest of the entire game, with 16:10 remaining as Peek hit two free throws (the senior guard made his first eight straight from the line).
 
Garrett Day started to rain in jumpers to cut into the Wesleyan lead as the sharp shooter hit a three in transition then another just over a minute later. Day continued on the next Amherst possession with a jumper this time which brought it back to a 52-49 deficit.
 
Johnson assisted on two straight Wesleyan buckets, first going to Walker for a three and then the first-year found Steven Johnson '23 with a great bounce pass in the lane as the Cardinals held a 59-51 lead with 10:30 left.
 
That eight-point leader, however, was short-lived as Amherst rattled off an 8-0 run in a span of just 1:55 to tie the score back up at 59-59. Neither side led by more than one for nearly six minutes late in the second half before Robinson hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:45 left. Amherst later led 75-71 with 46 ticks left before Johnson hit a runner in the lane and the Cardinal defense forced a critical turnover with 26 seconds left.
 
Trailing by two with the ball, it was the first-year Johnson who made the play in the closing seconds as he drove to his right, drawing help defense which left Steven Johnson open underneath for the game-tying layup. Amherst had a chance to win as Robinson's three missed and then two follow-up attempts both nearly found the bottom of the net but an extra period was needed to determine a winner.
 
After fouls dominated the first two minutes, Peek finished a great feed from James in the paint to make it 81-78 Wesleyan with 2:11 left in OT but it was Amherst who finished the game with five unanswered points and incredible defensive stands, forcing three straight turnovers on the final three Cardinal possessions to win it late.
 
The Mammoths were led by great guard play all night from Day and Robinson. Day finished with a game-high 19 while Robinson stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes. McCarthy added 14 points and the crucial steal to seal the win, one of four for him on the night.
 
Wesleyan looks to rebound on Sunday when they welcome in Hamilton for a 2 PM tip-off.