Scots' defense too much for Wildcats

WENHAM, Mass.. -- Gordon broke a tie game at halftime, pulling away in the second half for a 60-50 win over the Wheelock College Wildcats at the Bennett Center. Sophomores Max Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Eric Rice (Woburn, Mass.) led the Wildcats with 11 points each, while senior Sherard Robbins (Malden, Mass.) pulled in 11 boards as Wheelock fell to 4-2 on the season. (Right: Sophomore Eric Rice battles Gordon's Greg Walker for the rebound.)

Wheelock was clinging to a 36-35 lead with 16:02 left to play in the game when Gordon turned up the defensive intensity and went on a 15-4 run over the next 6:02 to take a ten point lead. Aaron Trigg scored 7 points during that stretch while Brady Bajema drained was 2-3 from behind the arc.

Greg Walker finished the game with a big double-double, as he posted 16 points and 13 rebounds. Walker also hounded Wheelock center RIce into a 4 of 14 shooting performance. Rice dropped 20 points against Gordon in the previous season's confrontation. Ben Gaskill also had a strong defensive effort picking up 11 rebounds, while Jeff Derr came off the bench to block 3 shots.

Brady Bajema added 11 points for Gordon, sinking 3 shots from behind the arc to bring his season total to 22. Bajema is shooting 58% from long range through the season's first 8 games.

Gordon led 26-19 late in the first half, however, a late 10-0 surge from Wheelock, sparked by Eric Rice gave Wheelock a 29-26 advantage. Trigg drained a 3-pointer to knot the score going into the break.

After Wheelock pulled with 8 at the 8-minute mark, Gordon surged away again, courtesy of free throws from Austin Bentson and TIm MacDonnell and a layup from Gaskill. The final margin of 16 was as large as any lead Gordon held.

Gordon will not play again until January 4th when they take part in the Union College Tournament in Schenectady, NY. Wheelock still plays 2 more games this semester, and will host Endicott on Saturday, December 12 at 12PM.

Game summary courtesy of Gordon College