Wolverines Fall at Buzz Ridl Classic

New Wilmington, Pa. - Playing in the 17th Annual Buzz Ridl Classic basketball tournament hosted by Westminster College, Pa. the Wesley College Wolverine fell to the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon 90-77.  Wesley's Rashawn Johnson (Selbyville, Del.) led all scores with 24 points and added 5 rebounds in the loss.

The tournament is played in honor of the late Charles "Buzz" Ridl, who was the head basketball coach and athletic director for Westminster College.  Proceeds from the tournament benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.

Wesley's only lead of the game came at the 19:20 mark of the first half. Early on the Wolverines were unable to hit from behind the arc going 1-for-6 through the first 10 minutes. The Wolverines were down as much as 14 points but three late 3-pointers, one a piece from freshmen guards Jermaine Carter (Richmond, VA) and Khalief Mason (Philadelphia, Pa.) and another by sophomore guard Kevin Johnson (Smyrna, Del.) helped Wesley inch back to a 10 point deficit at the end of the first half. 

Kevin Johnson drained two three pointers in scoring 8-of-10 points in the first half. Rashawn Johnson also scored 8 points in the half.

Wesley shot just over 40% for the game but were outshot by the Tartan who hit just over 52 percent on the day.  The Tartans also got much help from their bench who scored 39 points to Wesley's 24.

Wesley's Rashawn Johnson was able to find his range in the second half adding 16 to his first half total, but Wesley only got a close as eight points down the stretch.

The loss put the Wolverines at 0-2 on the season.  Wesley will play host Westminster College at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 22.  Westminster lost to Carnegie Mellon in the tip off game on Thursday 70-65.  A Wesley win would give them a second place finish and their first win of the season.