MEN'S BASKETBALL GRINDS OUT VICTORY AGAINST CAZENOVIA

AURORA, N.Y. – The Wells College men's basketball team earned their third straight victory holding off the Cazenovia College Wildcats 60-58 in North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) men's basketball action Wednesday evening in Aurora. The Express, who have also won six of their last seven, improve 10-11 (7-4 NEAC) and maintain second place in the NEAC North Division with just four games remaining.

EJ Taylor (Tampa Bay, Fla.) scored 13 of his game high 19 points in the second half to pace the Express. Andre Sawyers (Bronx, N.Y.) added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Terry Harrison (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for Wells.

Tied 54-54 with 2:55 to play, Harrison finished two lay-ups, including a strong move inside with defenders draped all over to give Wells a 58-54 lead with 1:43 to play. Two free-throws by Matt Perry pulled the Wildcats (5-14, 2-8 NEAC) to within two (58-56). On the ensuing play, Harrison drew a foul and two free-throws, hitting one of two to extend the Express lead back to three (59-56) but, Anthony Wilkerson would quickly earn a foul on a dribble drive to the hoop, hitting both free throws, drawing Cazenovia to within one (59-58) with 15-seconds to play.

On the inbounds, the Wildcats fouled Sawyers sending him to line. After hitting one of two shots to give Wells a two point advantage (60-58) the Wildcats pushed the ball up the floor with 13-seconds remaining, however, a suffocating Wells defense forced Cazenovia into a poor 15-footer from the baseline that clanged off the rim and innocently into the hands of Dave Foltz (Auburn, N.Y.) for the victory.

Wilkerson led the Wildcats with a team high 16 points while Perry added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams struggled in the first half. Cazenovia mustered just 19 total points while the Express were unable to fair much better scoring 21 points on 20.7 percent shooting from the floor.

Overall, Cazenovia finished 38 percent from the field while finishing 14-16 from the foul line and holding the advantage on the boards 40-33. Wells shot 53.6 percent from the field in the second half, and finished shooting 36.8 for the game, including 4-11 from long range.

Wells returns to hardwood on Tuesday, February 7 when they welcome NEAC North Division leading Morrisville State to campus for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off in Aurora.