Rocky Mount, N.C. - Junior Josh Morrison netted a team-high 21 points to help lead his Battling Bishop men's basketball team to an 84-76 victory over Mid-Atlantic Christian in Thursday night's season opener at Everett Gymnasium.
The Bishops had closed out the first half with an 8-0 run to force a 34-34 tie at the break, only to see the Mustangs go up 49-44 early in the second. Wesleyan, however, got the spark it needed behind the play of senior Julian Martin off the bench. Martin's lay-up with 11:35 remaining put the Bishops up 50-49 and became part of a 19-4 run that gave Wesleyan a 63-53 lead it would not relinquish.
MACU (4-2) got as close as four with just over six minutes left, but senior Cornelius Snow stifled any thoughts of a comeback with back-to-back treys, both assisted by freshman Evan Collins. The Bishops proceeded to seal their first win with an 8-for-8 showing at the charity stripe over the final minute of play.
Morrison finished 7-of-12 from the floor and was joined in double-figures by senior Brandon Givens with 14 and Snow with 12. Sophomore Chris Ford and Martin also chipped in ten apiece. Givens led all players with nine rebounds on the night, while he and Snow dished out four assists each.
As a team, the Bishops (1-0) shot nearly 52 percent from the floor and held a 36-27 advantage on the boards. The Mustangs managed to stay close by making nine three-pointers and getting 26 points from Mikel Harvey off the bench.
Next up for the Bishops is the 5th Annual South Region Challenge, which will be hosted by Wesleyan next Tuesday and Wednesday, the 20th and 21st. Tuesday's first game features Hampden-Sydney and Mary Washington at 5:00pm, followed by the Bishops tipping off with Shenandoah at 7:00pm.