SHARP-SHOOTING WESLEYAN TOPS MEN'S HOOP TEAM

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Sophomore Harry Rafferty hit six of 10 three-point tries on his way to a game-high 26 points in leading Wesleyan University to a 76-54 non-conference men's basketball win over Emmanuel College on Thursday evening.  The win upped the Cardinals' record against the Saints to 9-1 all-time.  Wesleyan is back in action Saturday, November 22nd, hosting Little Three rival Williams in a non-conference tilt.  Emmanuel plays again Saturday as well with a visit from Westfield State.

Emmanuel built as much as a nine-point lead in the first half, pulling out to a 31-22 advantage with 5:10 remaining in the period.  Freshman Josh Bushman led the Saints with nine first-half points while going 3-for-3 on treys.  But the Cardinals trimmed the difference to two at halftime, 33-31, and came out firing in the second half to take the lead for good on a putback by junior BJ Davis with 18:30 to go, making it 36-35.  By the 13:12 mark of the second half, Wesleyan enjoyed its own nine-point bulge, 48-39, on an inside basket by senior Chris Tugman.

Emmanuel got no closer than six the rest of the way as Wesleyan methodically pulled away to a 16-point edge, 63-47, behind a 15-8 run to the 5:14 mark as Rafferty canned a pair of treys during the stretch.  The final score matched the largest lead in the contest.

As a team, Wesleyan went 8-for-16 from long range while Emmanuel was 4-for-16 from three-point land, including 0-for-6 in the second half.  Wesleyan had a 46-37 margin on the boards, led by sophomore Joseph Kuo with nine rebounds.  Rafferty and junior Rashid Epps both had seven for the Cardinals.  Joining Rafferty with double-digit points was Davis with 15 and Kuo with 11.

Emmanuel was led by Bushman with 12 points while junior Kyle Davis added 10 along with a team-best eight rebounds.  Kuo for Wesleyan and sophomore Aidan Hadley for Emmanuel each registered three blocks on the night.

- Release Courtesy of Wesleyan University Sports Information