Rocky Mount, N.C. - Wesleyan returned to hoops action on Wednesday night in Everett Gym. The Bishop men dropped their league opener to William Peace, 104-98, while the women knocked off Methodist, 69-54. The USA South doubleheader featured a pair of stellar performances as junior Adrian Moore poured in a career-high 41 points in the opener, and senior Timyra Staton notched a career-high 29 points in the nightcap.
The men got things started against the Pacers, forging a 46-39 lead at the break and leading by as many as 13 early in the second half. Unfortunately for Bishop fans, Peace (9-4, 2-0 USA South) caught fire midway the period, shooting over 70 percent from the floor in the final 15 minutes to erase the deficit and pull off the victory.
Jay Hicks and Ryan Emfinger led five Pacers in double figures with 21 points apiece, while Moore tallied 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals to go along with his 41 points.
The Bishop women then took the floor against the rival Monarchs (2-10, 0-1 USA South). Wesleyan held a slim 31-27 advantage after two quarters play, but the Bishops found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter, pouring in 28 points as a team to take a comfortable double-digit lead that they would not relinquish.
NCWC shot nearly 43 percent in the second half and dominated the glass, finishing with a 48-30 rebounding advantage on the night. Staton pulled down 13 of those rebounds to complete the double-double, while junior KeChae Parker joined her in double-figures with 11 points.
Jalisia Campbell paced MU with a team-high 14 points.
Both teams continue league play on the road this weekend. Wesleyan's men (7-5, 0-1 USA South) travel to Piedmont College on Saturday for a 2:00pm tip-off with the Lions, while the Bishop women (6-7, 1-1 USA South) travel to Meredith and Averett on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Please visit www.ncwcsports.com for links to live coverage for all contests.