Galloway, N.J. - The Battling Bishop men's basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan returned to action on Monday and Tuesday, falling at York College (N.Y.) and Richard Stockton by 78-74 and 83-60 scores, respectively. The northeastern trip leaves Wesleyan with a 6-6 overall record entering Saturday's USA South Conference opener versus Christopher Newport.

On Monday at York, the Bishops and Cardinals battled through a back-and-forth contest that was separated by six points or fewer for the entire game. Wesleyan managed a 74-73 advantage with 1:22 remaining but fouled on York's ensuing possession as William Holley attempted a three-pointer.  Holley made all three free throws to put York up by two points, 76-74.
 
Wesleyan could not capitalize at the line on its next possession, missing a pair of free throws that gave the Cardinals the ball back. Holley was again fouled and made 1-of-2 at the charity stripe to make the score 77-74 with 20 seconds remaining.
 
Following a timeout, Wesleyan sophomore Josh Morrison attempted a game-tying three-pointer from a few feet beyond the arc but came up short. York again made 1-of-2 free throws to clinch the 4-point win, 78-74.
 
The Battling Bishops shot at an impressive 51 percent for the game compared to 40 percent for York (4-9), but the Cardinals were +6 in turnover differential and converted those turnovers into 18 points.
 
Wesleyan was led by Matt Dougherty with 24 points and Alex Murray with 21 points and seven rebounds.

Versus Stockton on Tuesday, Wesleyan took a 31-29 lead into the locker room on the strength of 10 points by Morrison. Stockton's Rich Suhr had 11 points before the break and went 3-4 from behind the arc.

The Ospreys broke the game open with a 21-4 run at the beginning of the second half thanks to three more long-range bombs from Suhr. Stockton (7-5) pressured NCWC into just 34.4% shooting and 17 turnovers in the period en route to the victory. 

Suhr led Stockton with a career-high 24 points, while Morrison paced NCWC with 13 points. Additionally for the Bishops, Dougherty finished with 11 and Ric Yarbrough had 10.

Wesleyan opens up league play on Saturday versus the Captains of CNU. Tip-off is slated for 4:00pm in Everett Gymnasium.