NEWARK, NJ - Rutgers-Newark was handed its first loss of the season, as Wesleyan topped the Raiders, 71-53, at The Golden Dome in just their second home game of the season.
It was a high energy game from the start. Wesleyan (1-0) started out on a 7-0 run as they handled their business in the paint and converted a made free throw. Levi Holton stopped the run with a pair of made free throws from the charity stripe.
David Kema tied the game at 19-19 with 9:05 to go in the half. The Cardinals kept finding a way to spread the ball as it assisted in them increasing their lead. Wesleyan outscored Rutgers-Newark 20-9 for the remaining of the half to hold a 39-28 advantage.
The first points of the second half were courtesy of a Holton made free throw. Midway through the second half, the Raiders started attacking the paint, something they had not done much of in the first half. Ayden Brown and Holton connected on four free throws for the Raiders cutting the Cardinals' lead to 55-42.
Wesleyan responded by going on an eight-point that was a mix of layups and made free throws. The cardinals crossed into 20-plus point territory and it seemed to put a dimmer on the Raiders' light.
Although never giving up and scoring five points in the final minute of play, there just wasn't enough time to stage a comeback. Wesleyan was able to pull out a win in its season opener.
Rutgers-Newark (2-1) had two players finish in double figures for scoring. Holton tallied 15 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Pascal Dodard recor3ed 11 points, including going 4 of 4 from the free throw line. Rutgers-Newark shot 24.6 percent from the free throw line and struggled from behind the arc with 15 percent shooting. They managed an 80 percent performance from the charity stripe at 80 percent (20 of 25).
Wesleyan was led in scoring by Ben Lyttle. He had 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting, including a trio of made three pointers. Jackson Cormier netted 10 points and seven rebounds. The Cardinals shot 44.4 percent from the field with their largest lead of 23 points coming with 49 seconds remaining in the game.
Men's basketball will host FDU-Florham on Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. at The Golden Dome.
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