Wesleyan University scored 14 straight points early in the second half and pulled away for a 72-51 NESCAC win against the Hamilton College Continentals at Wesleyan's Silloway Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.
 
Hamilton (11-9, 3-3 NESCAC) put forth a strong showing in the first half against the nationally ranked No. 20 Cardinals as the Continentals led 35-34 at the break. Hamilton aims to bounce back in their next matchup against conference foe Colby College at Margaret Bundy Scott Field House on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.
 
Nick Osarenren '22 filled up the stat sheet for the Continentals. Osarenren led the team in scoring with 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds, made three steals and blocked two shots. Conner Rood '23 scored nine points and chipped in three steals. Hamilton was perfect at the free-throw line, going 8-for-8.
 
Wesleyan (17-3, 5-1) was paced by Sam Peek's 16 points. Nicky Johnson posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists and was credited with four steals. Gabe Ravetz also scored in double figures off the bench, adding 10 points. Preston Maccoux contributed eight points and nine boards.
 
The Continentals shot the ball well in the first half, going 13 of 30 (43.3 percent) from the field and sinking all six of their free throws. Wesleyan opened up a big lead late in the half, pushing its lead to 10 at 33-23 on a Steven Johnson alley-oop from Antone Walker with 3:56 remaining. Rood hit a 3-pointer and a lay-up off the fast break after an Osarenren block. The two baskets capped a 12-1 run that closed out the half and put Hamilton up by one.
 
The Cardinals came out firing to start the second half. Wesleyan took the lead for good with their first possession on a Peek floater, and that kicked off a 20-4 run that ended on a Johnson jumper with 11:58 left. The Cardinals owned a 15-point cushion at 54-39 and the Continentals didn't get closer than nine points the rest of the way.