Paul nets 24 points, but MCLA falls on road to Wesleyan 85-75

Middletown, CT- MCLA's Khalil Paul scored a season high 24 points however it wasn't enough as host Wesleyan held off the Trailblazers 85-75 in non conference action Wednesday night.  The loss marked the fourth straight for MCLA as they drop to 2-5 on the season while the Cardinals won their fifth straight game improving to 5-1.

Paul was 9-18 from the floor for his 24 points.  The senior added 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  Joe Wiggins added 13 points while Careem Kirksey ended with 11.  Dakari Hannah Wornum came off the bench to tally 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots.  The double double was his fourth this season.

The Cardinals punctuated the first half in style on Joseph Kuo's dunk as time ran out giving them a 45-31 lead at the break.  MCLA wouldn't go quietly though as Paul scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half.  

The Trailblazers would cut the deficit to five points at 52-47 after an 11-2 run was highlighted by a pair of Paul jumpers and capped by his three pointer.  Wesleyan would respond and eventually pull back in front by double digits at 69-55 with 8:16 left to play before MCLA staged one more rally.

They would gradually whittle away at the lead and then get within seven points with under a minute to play, however they'd get no closer.  Another dunk by Kuo added some breathing room and the Cardinals added some free throws down the stretch to provide the final margin.

For the Cardinals, they placed four players in double figures led by Harry Rafferty's team high 19.  Kuo added 18 points and 8 rebounds, while BJ Davis collected 15 points and 5 assists. Nathan Krill ended with 10 points off the bench and Rashid Epps had 10 rebounds to lead the team.

MCLA committed 17 turnovers in the loss.

The Trailblazers have a week off before returning home one week from tonight when they host WPI at 7:30pm.