Rocky Mount, N.C. - The men's basketball team of N.C. Wesleyan edged out USA South foe LaGrange College by a 79-75 score on Sunday afternoon in Everett Gymnasium. The win was the second straight for the Battling Bishops, who move to 9-5 on the season and 2-3 in league play.
After LaGrange came out on fire offensively, the Bishops found themselves down by as many as 16 in the first half before pulling to within five at the break, 35-30.
A slow start by Wesleyan in the second half allowed the Panthers to move back up by 13, but NCWC used a 16-2 run midway through the period to take their first lead of the contest, 56-55, on a pair of free throws by senior Brandon Givens.
From there, the game would feature four ties and seven lead changes before a Givens three-ball gave Wesleyan the lead for good, 73-70, with 2:19 remaining. Givens finished with a team-high 23 points and 11 rebounds on the day.
Joining him in double-figures was junior Josh Morrison with 13 points, as well as senior Cornelius Snow and freshman Eric Dortch-Jones with 10 apiece. Additionally, sophomore Isaac Daniel and freshman Devontae Williams eached pulled down seven boards.
LC's Mark Wagner paced the Panthers with a game-high 25 points, which included seven three-pointers.
Next up for the Bishops is a road trip to league rival Methodist College on Wednesday night. Tip-off is slated for 7:00pm in Fayetteville.