MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – In an epic clash between two of the nation's top 5 ranked teams that featured 17 lead changes and 10 ties, Drew Lazaree of the two-seed Trinity hit a step-back three-pointer with 37 seconds left in what was a tied game, proving the difference in the end as the Bantams defeated the one-seed Wesleyan men's basketball team 75-67 on Sunday from Silloway Gymnasium. The Bantams (24-3) earn their second straight NESCAC Championship while the Cardinals (26-1) see their incredible unbeaten run come to an end.
 
Playing in front of a packed crowd once again, the atmosphere fit the billing as two of the best teams in the nation battled it out for the NESCAC title. A hot start for the Cardinals saw the hosts jump out to a 9-2 lead less than four minutes into play. That early lead grew to nine as Oscar Edelman '28 canned a three-pointer from the wing that made it 16-7 Wesleyan and Sam Pohlman '26 later drove for two to give the Cardinals a 18-7 lead.
 
The Bantams, however, hit right back with a 12-0 run as Trinity benched all five starters for five reserves who came on and erased the early deficit. Over the final 8:44 of the first half, the lead changed hands, or the score tied on 15 occasions as the two juggernauts traded blows throughout. Regan and Nicky Johnson '25 combined for 18 of the Cardinals' 36 total points in the first half.
 
Points came fast and furious at the start of the second half as the two teams scored on seven straight possessions coming out of halftime. It took the Bantams all of 2:31 for the visitors to hit three three-pointers, a trend that continued deep into the second half and proved to be the difference in the end.
 
Neither side led by more than three pointers until just beyond the midway point of the half when Trinity scored eight unanswered points to hold their largest lead of the game at 62-54. Trinity later led by seven with 4:27 remaining after Lazarre hit from deep, but the Cardinals kept their composure and continued to battle.
 
Regan came up big with two free throw makes on consecutive possessions, cutting the deficit down to three, and after getting defensive stops on two straight trips down the floor, it was the first-year Edelman who hit a game-tying three-pointer that saw the home crowd erupt.
 
With the score tied at 67-67, Trinity took a timeout and their play coming out of the timeout had Lazarre dribble up top before pulling up from well beyond the three-point line in a shot that hit nothing but net.
 
Taking the ball back with more than 30 seconds showing, the Cardinals tried to go for two to extend the game but Jackson Cormier '26 missed on his drive to the rim. Lazarre grabbed the rebound and hit both free throws after being quickly fouled, putting the game to bed and sending a strong Trinity contingent home happy with the win.
 
Three-point shooting played a large role in the outcome as the Bantams went 13-for-26 (50 percent) from downtown and 8-for-13 (61.5 percent) in the second half alone. Lazarre went 4-for-7 from deep in the second half while Wesleyan as a team went 2-for-15 (13.3 percent) from three in the second half and 6-for-27 (22.2 percent) for the game.
 
Regan led Wesleyan in scoring with a game-high 21 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3FG, 7-8 FT) as the senior recorded his third straight 20-point game in the NESCAC Tournament. Johnson finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Edelman scored 10 points off the bench.
 
Lazarre scored all 15 of his points in the second half while Henry Vetter led Trinity with 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-6 3FG). Four other Bantams scored at least eight points.
 
The Cardinals earn a runner-up finish in the NESCAC for the second time in team history while Wesleyan is assured of an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament as the #1 overall seed by way of the NPI Rankings poll used to seed and select teams for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is Monday, March 3 at Noon on NCAA.com.