Rocky Mount, N.C. - N.C. Wesleyan downed Averett University by an 81-66 score in Thursday's opening round of the 2016 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament held in Everett Gymnasium. Sophomore Adrian Moore poured in a career-high 30 points with six steals to help the Bishops secure a spot in Friday's semifinal round. He, along with teammates Brandon Brown, D.J. Weaver, and Shannon Huff, received their All-Conference awards prior to tip-off.
Down 40-39 early in the second half, the Bishops used a 22-0 run over a 7-minute span to go up 21 points, 61-40, with 10:50 remaining. The Cougars (14-11) got back to within eight points, 67-59, with less than five minutes to go, but a 14-4 spurt by Wesleyan put the game out of reach down the stretch.
Joining Moore in double-figures were freshman Isaiah Alston and Weaver with 20 and 12 points, respectively. The trio helped NCWC secure the eighth 20-win season in program history, the fourth of head coach John Thompson's tenure, and the first since the 2010-11 season.
The top-seeded Bishops (20-6) will now face off with 4th-seeded LaGrange College in the tournament semifinals on Friday night at 7:00pm. Please know that this is a USA South Conference event, therefore no pass lists will be honored and ADMISSION WILL BE CHARGED. NCWC Student Life has once again graciously offered to pay admission for the first 100 students w/ID in attendance on Friday night. Students All other tickets will be $6 for general admission, $3 for students/faculty/staff w/ID.