SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Wesleyan's men's basketball team opened its 2025–26 campaign on the road Friday night, falling 114–76 to a high-powered Slippery Rock squad at Morrow Field House. The contest featured a balanced Bobcat scoring effort and meaningful early-season contributions from a deep rotation, but an efficient SRU offense proved difficult to slow.
 
Forward Isaiah Baker paced the Bobcats with 13 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor while adding five rebounds and two steals. Baker provided steady offense in both halves, including a fast-break dunk that energized the Wesleyan bench.
 
Guard Lamont Jones delivered a strong performance off the bench, posting 12 points, three assists, and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Jones consistently pushed tempo and created shots at the rim.
 
Guard Tristin Harkins added 8 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals, showcasing two-way activity and late-game shot-making. Jerell Baptiste and Adrijus Janciauskas each scored 6 points, with Baptiste knocking down a pair of threes and Janciauskas going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
 
Senior forward Stephen Ovia contributed 7 points and 6 rebounds, battling inside throughout the night and generating several second-chance opportunities.
 
In total, 11 different Bobcats scored, and Wesleyan's bench chipped in 44 points, a strong indicator of depth that will serve the team well as MEC play approaches.
 
Wesleyan trailed 56–31 at the break, though early minutes featured multiple ties and lead changes. The Bobcats' first basket of the 2025–26 season came from Baker, followed by layups from Ovia and Nick Davis as Wesleyan briefly moved ahead 4–2. Slippery Rock responded with a 19–4 run fueled by transition scoring and offensive rebounding.
 
Wesleyan scored 45 points in the second half, shooting 40% from the field while making four threes. The Bobcats repeatedly attacked the rim, with Jones, Harkins, Baker, and Baptiste all converting in transition.
 
Defensively, Wesleyan forced 13 Slippery Rock turnovers, turning several of them into fast-break points.
 
Slippery Rock shot 59.5% from the field and scored 72 points in the paint, using fast-break opportunities and second-chance production to create separation.
 
The Bobcats continue nonconference action in the Atlantic Region Challenge at Slippery Rock University when they play Lock Haven University Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.