Raleigh, N.C. - Despite getting a career-high 27 points from junior Brandon Brown, the N.C. Wesleyan men's basketball team was unable to overcome a hot-shooting William Peace squad, falling by an 84-72 score in Wednesday's USA South action in Raleigh. The Pacers knocked down 11 treys and connected on 21-of-29 free throw attempts on the night en route to their tenth victory of the season.
WPU (10-9, 6-2 USA South) hit 10 of its 11 three-pointers in the first half alone, but held just a 3-point lead at the half, 38-35.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle over the first ten minutes, with a Brown lay-up giving the Bishops a slim 54-52 advantage with 10:40 to go. The Pacers proceeded to reel off seven unanswered points to go up 59-54, and Wesleyan would get no closer than four points the rest of the way.
For the game, the Bishops held a 40-30 advantage on the glass, while WPU held a slim 46 percent to 44 percent edge in shooting percentage. The difference in the game came at the charity stripe where the Pacers benefited from 21 points to NCWC's 10 (10-of-11).
Brown completed the double-double with 12 rebounds. Freshman Adrian Moore also tallied a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Junior D.J. Weaver and Jesse Simpson joined them in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Jalen Vince paced WPU with 19 points.
Wesleyan (10-10, 4-5 USA South) returns to action next Wednesday at home with a league match-up versus Ferrum College. Tip-off is slated for 7:30pm in Everett Gymnasium.