MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan men’s basketball team etched a memorable chapter in the storied rivalry with Williams College on Friday night. In an electrifying contest that saw nine ties and 12 lead changes, Jackson Cormier’s clutch three-pointer in the final minute secured a 67-61 victory for the No. 9 ranked Cardinals at Silloway Gymnasium. With this win, Wesleyan (15-0, 1-0 NESCAC) extended their best-ever start in team history, while the Ephs (9-4, 0-1 NESCAC) faced their first conference setback.

A Battle of Titans: An Epic Showdown Decided by Moments of Brilliance

The First Half Surge

Williams started strong, converting four consecutive field goals to establish an early 13-10 advantage. Alex Lee’s fifth three-pointer gave the Ephs a 30-23 lead more than 14 minutes into the half. However, the tide turned dramatically as Nicky Johnson sparked a 15-2 Wesleyan run with a three-pointer from the wing. Josh Cameron's defensive prowess led to an uncontested layup for Sam Pohlman, further fueling the surge. Fritz Hauser and Oscar Edelman followed suit with back-to-back three-pointers, culminating in a buzzer-beating shot that sent the Cardinals into halftime leading 37-32.Despite Williams shooting an impressive 52% from the field in the first half, Wesleyan’s resilience and interior defense kept them ahead. The Cardinals’ ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities was pivotal, setting the stage for a fiercely contested second half.

Pivotal Moments Define the Second Half

The Cardinals carried their momentum into the second half, with Shane Regan scoring the first four points to extend Wesleyan’s lead to 42-32. Williams responded swiftly with a 9-0 run, narrowing the gap to one point. The game remained tightly contested, with neither side leading by more than five points for the next 17 minutes.A crucial moment came when Williams took a 56-52 lead with 8:11 remaining. Cameron answered with a timely three-pointer, reigniting the Cardinals' offense. Pohlman’s tough finish at the rim and Johnson’s hustle play added to Wesleyan’s momentum. Noah Dinkins’ three-pointer briefly put the Ephs ahead 61-59, but Zach Wolinski’s steal led to an Edelman layup, tying the game at 61-61.With the score deadlocked, Pohlman converted a free throw to give Wesleyan a slim 62-61 lead. Two remarkable defensive stands—Regan diving for a loose ball and Hauser blocking Lee’s shot—set up Cormier’s decisive corner three-pointer, giving the Cardinals a 65-61 advantage with 19 seconds left. Lee’s last-second attempt hit the rim, and Pohlman sealed the win with two free throws.

Statistical Highlights and Key Performances

Despite shooting a season-low 32.3% from the floor, Wesleyan’s dominance on the boards, particularly in offensive rebounds, proved crucial. The Cardinals outscored Williams 16-8 in second-chance points and committed only six turnovers, matching their lowest output of the season.Shane Regan led all scorers with 21 points, including a perfect 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, alongside seven rebounds. Nicky Johnson contributed seven points, eight assists, and six rebounds without committing a turnover. Sam Pohlman added nine points off the bench, while Fritz Hauser chipped in with eight points and five rebounds.Wesleyan’s victory underscores their depth, resilience, and ability to thrive under pressure, setting the tone for their upcoming clash against Middlebury on Saturday afternoon at 2 PM in Silloway Gymnasium.