Wesley Downs Otterbein at CNU

Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Three players scored at least 16 points as Wesley College won in the first round of the CNU Invitational 75-73 over Otterbein.

Alphonzo Wright (Dover, Del./Polytech) notched his second straight double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the win.  The forward canned 7-of-10 field goals in the contest and did not turn the ball over.

Senior guard Evan Martin (Wilmington, Del./Laurinburg Institute {N.C.}) led Wesley (2-2) with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting and blocked a pair of shots.  Rashawn Johnson (Selbyville, Del./Sussex Tech) finished with 17 points in the game, including three threes.

The Wolverines needed the balanced scoring to overcome a game-high 28 points by the Cardinals' Bryan Pollock.  Pollock, a guard, hit 11-of-21 field goals, including four from distance, grabbed seven rebounds and had three assists.

Wesley jumped ahead 22-6 on Otterbein (0-1) in the opening 4:57 behind 12 points from Rashawn Johnson.  Pollock had 19 of his points in the first half, however, as the Cardinals battled back and trailed by just three at the half, 40-37.

The Wolverines built the lead back to as many as 10, 64-54, after a Martin lay up with 8:48 to go in the game.  Otterbein, however, went on a 14-3 run to take a 68-67 lead on a three by Ian Gardner with 2:53 remaining. 

Wright made sure the lead was short lived, getting two in close just 22 seconds later and Wesley never trailed again.

Brice Rausch scored 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the loss for Otterbein.  Gardner and Dan Kessler pitched in with 10 apiece.  Cory Ratai led the Cardinals with nine rebounds, but was held scoreless in the game.

James Stratton (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) gave the Wolverines four players in double figures with 11 points.

Wesley, who shot 46 percent in the game, will now await the winner of the Christopher Newport/Roanoke game in the final on Saturday, November 29 at 7:30 PM.