MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – For the second straight game, the Wesleyan men's basketball team went on an extended first half run, coasting to another convincing win as the Cardinals defeated Middlebury 86-62 on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals improve to 11-4 on the season and start NESCAC play with a 2-0 record just one day removed from a double-digit point win at Williams. The Panthers drop to 6-7 (0-2 NESCAC) on the season in defeat.
 
After blitzing Williams in the first half on Friday night, taking a 40-15 lead into halftime, the Cardinals nearly repeated that feat on Saturday as Wesleyan opened the game on a 28-5 run and went on to lead 47-25 at halftime against Middlebury. The Panthers were held to a 2-for-14 showing from the floor with just one offensive rebound in the first 10 minutes of play.
 
Zach Wolinski '28 scored 11 of the Cardinals' first 15 points in the contest and Ian Plankey '29 came off the bench and didn't miss a shot, converting a three-point play on a put back and then following with a dunk on the next possession followed by a tip in at the rim to make it 22-5 Cardinals.
 
Wolinski netted another jumper and added seven more points to his first half totals, giving him 18 points at the half. Plankey's nine points off the bench provided a big boost to the Cardinals who held a 22-point lead heading into the second half.
 
The teams traded baskets for the opening 5+ minutes with Middlebury trying to work their way back in the game, but a 16-point deficit was as close as the Panthers would get throughout the second half. Ten different Cardinals scored at least one point in the second half with Ben Lyttle '27 leading the way with 10 points after halftime.
 
Wolinski finished with 22 points (18 in the first half) on 7-for-15 shooting as the sophomore posted consecutive 20+ point games on the opening weekend of NESCAC play. Lyttle scored 14 points to go along with six rebounds while Plankey burst onto the scene with 13 points and five rebounds (four offensive). The freshman center didn't miss an attempt in the contest, connecting on all four field goal attempts and hitting all five free throws.
 
Jaalan Watson '29 added eight points off the bench while Oscar Edelman '28 had seven points and two blocks. Sam Pohlman '26 contributed six points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Fritz Hauser '26 finished with six points and four rebounds.
 
The Cardinals continue a busy stretch, returning to Silloway Gym for a four-game home swing starting with a Monday night clash against Yeshiva at 7 PM.