Dudley, MA --- Senior
Jack Bleier (Victor, NY) scored a game-high 16 points as WPI opened the 2026-27 men's basketball season with a 61-53 victory over Nichols on Saturday afternoon at Nichols Athletic Center in Dudley. Sophomore
Tao Schreiber (Pompano Beach, FL) added 14 points, a career high, for the Engineers, who improved to 1-0 on the season.
The victory extended WPI's remarkable season-opening streak under 26th-year head coach
Chris Bartley to 24 consecutive victories. After dropping his debut in 2001-02, Bartley has guided the Engineers to a win in every season opener since, with WPI not competing during the 2020-21 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The teams traded baskets throughout the opening half, with WPI building a 13-9 advantage before Nichols answered to take a 20-17 lead. The Engineers responded behind baskets from
Daniel Bussey (Manhattan, NY) and Schreiber, who helped WPI regain the lead. Schreiber added a pair of free throws to push the advantage to 25-21, and WPI carried a narrow 28-27 edge into halftime.
WPI opened the second half with four straight points to stretch its lead to 32-27, but Nichols answered with a run of its own. The Bison eventually moved in front and built their largest lead of the afternoon at 45-37 with 9:34 remaining. Bleier and Schreiber helped spark the Engineers' response, while
Nate Bledsoe (San Antonio, TX) knocked down a three-pointer to bring WPI within one, 47-46, with 5:36 left. Bleier connected from beyond the arc to tie the game at 49-49 before another jumper evened the score at 51-51. He followed with two free throws to put WPI ahead for good, and Schreiber added a layup and four late free throws to help secure the eight-point victory.
Bleier finished with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers, and was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Schreiber added 14 points, two rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot.
Justin Molen (Newark, DE) chipped in nine points and four rebounds, while Bledsoe recorded five points, seven rebounds and a career-best seven steals. Bussey contributed five points and six rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
The Engineers finished with 15 steals and forced 22 Nichols turnovers while committing just eight of their own. WPI held an 18-7 advantage in points off turnovers, while Nichols finished with a 38-35 edge in rebounds. The Bison were led by
Cassidy Bonsu (Worcester, MA) with 10 points, while
Jaylen Kirkland (Westminster, MA) and
Simon Percy (Vernon, CT) each added nine.
WPI returns to Harrington Auditorium next weekend to host the Ted Coghlin Tournament. The Engineers open tournament play against Worcester State on Friday, November 13 at 5:30pm.
