MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Wesleyan University jumped out to a huge lead early in the first half and never looked back in an 86-53 romp over Bard in the first round of the Inn at Middletown Tip-Off Tournament on Friday night.

Box score

Bard (0-2) struggled early, committing six turnovers in the first five minutes, and going more than six minutes into the game without a field goal.

Wesleyan (1-0) made 53 percent of its shots in the first half and ran out to a 49-24 lead. The Cardinals held a 21-11 rebounding edge at the break and had 11 different players score in the first 20 minutes.

The lead got as big as 29 in the first half, and as big as 39 in the second half. The Raptors were unable to get closer than 24 in the second half, as Wesleyan continued its great shooting. The Cardinals hit 61 percent of their shots from the field in the game.

Wesleyan was led by sophomore guard Shasha Brown (Bronx, NY), who had 17 points.

Bard was led by freshman Siondueh Burnette, who scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the final nine minutes. Frank Stortini added eight points, and three players - Lamar Powell, Francis Arnold and Pat Lichtenstein - has seven points apiece. Powell also had five rebounds.

In the second game, Curry College held off Johnson State, 81-73. On Saturday, Bard will play Johnson State at 1 p.m., and Curry will take on Wesleyan at 3.