Cardinal basketball is now saddled with a five-game losing streak and sits at 6-11. Wesleyan had won three of its last four games of 2007 and opened the new year with a pair of wins. The sole loss during that streak was a 67-61 home defeat at the hands of Emmanuel College on Dec. 6.
“To let the Emmanuel [game] get away because of [rebounds and free throws] is really tough,” said Kevin Scura ’09. “The Fisher game was really important to get on the right track, and to prove to ourselves that we aren’t the kind of team that gives games away.”
On Dec. 8, Wesleyan traveled to Boston to take on NAIA squad Fisher College. The Cardinals found themselves in an 11-point hole with 8:45 left in the first half but scored 13 of the last 14 points to take a 24-23 lead at halftime. Wesleyan did not trail again in the game and withstood a furious Fisher rally for a 73-66 win.
Wesleyan visited Albertus Magnus College for its final action of 2007 on Dec. 10. The Falcons cut Wesleyan’s lead to two with 24 seconds left in the game, but Mike Raymond ’08 went 4-for-4 from the line to secure the Cardinals’ 60-54 win, their 19th in 20 all-time meetings against their New Haven foes.
“The Albertus game was important because up to that point we hadn’t started a game the way we wanted to all year long,” Scura said. “It’s also extremely important with a long layoff to have a positive feeling about the direction of the season, so for…Raymond to hit his big free throws at the end of the game was great for our collective mindset over the break.”
The Cardinals began 2008 with two big wins at the Jim Beaudry Classic at the University of New England. Wesleyan opened with an overtime victory over Thomas College on Jan. 3.
Wesleyan took on the hosts the following day. In a game that featured 12 ties and 12 lead changes, the Cardinals rallied from a 31-27 halftime deficit and emerged with a 69-61 victory.
“You don’t get too many chances to win championships in your life,” Scura said. “And to take one away from someone else on their home floor is special. The win over [New England] has definitely been the highlight of the year to this point.”
Nick Pelletier ’08 recorded double-doubles in both games and was named tournament MVP, and Raymond, who played a total of 62 minutes off the bench and went 8-for-8 from the line, was also named to the all-tournament team.
The Cardinals visited Little Three rival and defending national champion Amherst on Dec. 8. The Lord Jeffs broke a 2-2 tie 1:30 into the game and led the rest of the way. Wesleyan scored 34 points in the first half—the second-most Amherst has given up before halftime this season—but was outscored 45-29 in the second and lost 85-63.
Scura noted that the Cardinals’ gritty performance in the first half was an encouraging sign for the team.
“[Amherst is] one of the premier teams…in the country, and we played largely toe-to-toe with them for a half,” Scura said. “So we know that when we play the way we’re capable of playing we belong on the floor with anyone in Division [III]. No one should intimidate us.”
Wesleyan traveled to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Jan. 15. The Cardinals held a 1-point lead with 11:44 left in the game, but the Mariners went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes for a 47-38 lead. Wesleyan got no closer than seven after that and lost 66-57.
On Jan. 19, Wesleyan traveled to Connecticut College to open its NESCAC schedule. Connecticut ended the first half on a 24-10 run for a 44-27 halftime lead—the most points Wesleyan has given up in the first this season—but the Cardinals rallied and eventually pulled to within 67-65 with 50 seconds to go. However, the Camels scored the last four points for a 71-65 win.
Wesleyan opened its second NESCAC weekend with a home game against Colby last Friday. The Mules jumped out to first-half leads of 14-4 and 33-14 and led 40-25 at halftime. Wesleyan later rallied to cut the deficit to six points, 60-54, but Colby hit two quick threes and held on for a 77-70 win.
The Cards took on Bowdoin on Saturday and went to the locker room at halftime trailing by seven, 33-26. However, the Cardinals scored just 20 points in the second half, while Bowdoin ended the game on a 24-7 run for a 66-46 final. No Cardinal broke double digits in scoring and Wesleyan missed 41 of 58 shots overall.
Wesleyan continues NESCAC play with a trip to Bates and Tufts this weekend. Like Wesleyan, Tufts currently sits at 0-3 in the NESCAC. The Cardinals will also look to avenge a three-point overtime loss to Bates last season.
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