Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Forward Stan Grayson's '09 (Brooklyn, N.Y.) basket with 2:24 to play broke a 57-all deadlock, and the Wesleyan University Cardinals made 6 of 6 free throw attempts in the closing stages to take a 69-61 victory over the University of New England in the championship game of the Jim Beaudry Classic Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.

After a lay-up by Nick Pelletier '08 (Amherst, N.H.) pulled Wesleyan even (57-57) for the 12th tie of the game, Michael Raymond '08 (Newton, Mass.) came up with a steal for the Cardinals on UNE's next possession.  From there, Grayson gave the visitors the lead for good (59-57) on a nifty power move with 2:24 on the clock.

Jaykyri Simpson '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) would make 1 of 2 free throws on the Nor'easters' next trip up the court before Pelletier converted consecutive buckets in the paint to give Wesleyan a 63-58 lead with just over a minute to play.

The Cardinals made all six of their free throw attempts--four by Raymond--over the final 23 seconds to secure the tourney title.

The first half featured six ties and nine lead changes, with the stat sheet looking nearly identical for each team at the break.  UNE led 31-27 at intermission.

Grayson finished with 20 points on 10-for-14 shooting to lead the way for the winners.  He hauled down seven rebounds to help the Cardinals to a rebounding margin of 34-23. 

Pelletier recorded his second consecutive double-double (17 points, 10 boards) to earn tournament most valuable player honors.  Raymond was selected to the all-tournament team after providing a spark off the bench in his 30 minutes of play.

Wesleyan was red-hot from the floor in the second frame, making 16 of 26 attempts (61.5 percent).  The Cardinals also improved to 61.5 percent (8 of 13) accuracy from the line after knocking down just 2 of 5 tries in the first half.

Simpson and Johnnie Jefferson '09 (Dallas, Texas) were named all-tournament for the Nor'easters.  Simpson tallied 12 of his game-high 21 points after halftime.  Jefferson finished with 16 points to go with a team-high six rebounds.

The Nor'easters were hurt by poor free throw shooting, making 11 of 24 attempts (45.8 percent), including just 7 of 17 in the second half.

Wesleyan (6-6) will play a Little Three game Tuesday at Amherst College (7:00 p.m.).  UNE (6-5), which saw its four-game win streak come to an end, hosts Bates College that same evening at 7:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Thomas College defeated the University of Maine Presque Isle, 102-72, in the consolation game.  Andrew Duncanson of Thomas and Ronald Spencer of UMPI earned all-tournament accolades.

(posted Jan. 5, 2008 | 18:39 ET)