Murray collects double double but MCLA falls to Wesleyan

North Adams, MA- The visiting Wesleyan University men's basketball team received a game high 27 points off the bench from Andrew Gardiner as they defeated the MCLA Trailblazers 94-60 tonight to improve to 6-0 on the season.  The Trailblazers fall to 0-6 on the season.

Gardiner was 11-14 from the floor for his 27 point effort.  He also notched 5 assists for the Cardinals.  Kevin O'Brien added 15 points on 7-12 shooting and chipped in 6 boards and 3 assists.  Salim Green notched 11 points for Wesleyan.

Wesleyan broke open a close game at the end of the first half.  The Cardinals led 30-24 after MCLA's Joe Murray converted a pair at the line with 4:52 left in the half.  From there, Wesleyan would outscore MCLA 15-2 to end the half.  The Cardinals shot a torrid 16-24 (67%) as they built their lead.  MCLA shot just 33% and committed 13 costly turnovers.

In the second half, the lead quickly ballooned to 30 points and the Cardinals never looked back.  Gardiner collected 12 points in the closing half to lead the way.

The Cardinals shot 53% from the floor in the win and outrebounded MCLA 44-33, including a decisive 29-14 edge in the second half.

MCLA was led by Joe Murray's team best 15 point effort.  He completed the double double with a game best 14 rebounds.  Joe Wiggins battled foul trouble to end with 9 points while George Felogloy added 9 off the bench for the Trailblazers.  MCLA shot just 37% in the contest.

The Trailblazers are off until Tuesday when they travel to WPI for another non league contest.