Jon Furbush ’05 (Portland, Maine) led Bates with a team-high 16 points, while Zak Ray ’07 (Bangor, Maine) scored 10. Rob Stockwell ’07 (Temple, N.H.) pulled down nine boards and had seven points.
Bates had a chance take the lead with six seconds remaining, but Ray missed a fall-away jumper from 12 feet. Robert Kelly grabbed the rebound and hit Griffin near mid-court, giving Griffin the chance to drive and hit the game-winner with a defender in his face.
Griffin finished with six points, while Kelly had 11 and nine boards. Tim Holland led the Cardinals with a game-high 21 points.
Bates is now 15-5 overall and 5-1 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Wesleyan is 12-8 overall and 3-3 in NESCAC.
Bates will host Colby-Sawyer Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.