SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. —The Bobcat men's basketball team held a late lead and put together good defensive efforts, but a last-second Lock Haven University layup handed the Bobcats a heartbreaking 68–67 loss on Saturday afternoon at Morrow Field House.
 
Wesleyan (0–2) led for more than 21 minutes and carried a 41–37 halftime advantage, but the Bald Eagles closed on a 14–5 run over the final six minutes to escape with the win.
 
Wesleyan came out firing, shooting 45.7% from the field in the opening 20 minutes while getting into transition early. The Bobcats scored 16 fast-break points on the night and matched Lock Haven's physical play in the paint with a 42–40 scoring edge inside.
 
Stephen Ovia and Nick Davis fueled a 13–2 run that helped the Bobcats erase an early deficit and eventually build a 41–34 lead late in the first half. A timely bucket from Jaden Westfall followed by back-to-back defensive plays from Tristin Harkins, helped Wesleyan take momentum into the break.
 
Wesleyan maintained control early in the second half, pushing its lead to 62–56 with just over five minutes left thanks to interior scoring from Milos Cirovic and Ovia.
 
But Lock Haven responded with a string of defensive stops and timely free throws to claw back. With the Bobcats leading 67–66 in the final seconds, the Bald Eagles attacked the rim and converted a contested layup with two seconds remaining. Wesleyan's deep shot at the buzzer was off line.
 
Senior forward Ovia powered the Wesleyan offense with 16 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting while grabbing six rebounds. Davis turned in a complete performance with 14 points, a game-high nine rebounds, and a steal. Cirovic added 13 points, including a pair of threes, while dishing out three assists. Harkins matched him with 13 points, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line and stuffing the defensive stat sheet with six steals, tied for the game high. Westfall provided strong minutes off the bench, finishing with three points, a rebound, and an assist in key first-half stretches.
 
Wesleyan travels to Walsh University (Ohio) on Wednesday, Nov. 19 for a 6 p.m. tip.