Montgomery, Ala. - Freshman Malik Adams hauled in a program-record three touchdown receptions on Saturday, but it would not be enough as his Battling Bishop football team dropped a 59-35 decision at Huntingdon College.
In the first half, the Hawks (5-2, 3-1 USA South) opened up a quick 14-0 lead before Wesleyan cracked the scoreboard with a 40-yard TD pass from senior Greg Edwards to Adams on a trick play midway the first quarter. Huntingdon countered with a pair of rushing TDs for a 28-7 HC advantage.
Wesleyan out-scored the Hawks 14-7 in the second quarter for a 35-21 score at the half. Sophomore quarterback Robbie Lanier capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive with a 19-yard scoring strike to Adams for the Bishops first score of the period, while Lanier again found Adams from two yards out just before the break.
In the second half, a 67-yard rushing TD by the Hawks' Austin Bennett and a 30-yard field goal by David Ballard made the score 45-21 when NCWC junior tailback Jacques Alston broke free for a 65-yard scoring run with 9:47 to go in the third. Huntingdon tacked on two more TDs before Alston closed out the scoring with a two-yard run that capped a 76-yard drive by the Bishops late in the fourth.
Alston finished with 121 rushing yards on the day, while Adams caught seven passes for 124 yards. Defensively, freshmen Travonne Marshall, Jordan Butler and RaeQuan Peoples had 11 tackles apiece.
Wesleyan (1-7, 1-4 USA South) wraps up the home portion of its schedule next Saturday versus Ferrum College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00pm at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium, and the Bishops will be honoring their 2013 Senior Class prior to the game.