ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - Another big day from senior forward Robert Wilson helped lead the Battling Bishop men's basketball team to their third straight conference win and 6th consecutive win overall as NC Wesleyan edged past rival Averett University (Va.) 84-82 at home Saturday afternoon.
Wilson led the way with 23 points and 4 three-pointers while shooting 9 of 13 to lead NCWC to their 8th win of the season as they start 3-0 in USA South play. Wilson also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the win while senior point guard Chris Braswell had 9 points and a team-high 8 assists with 5 rebounds.
The Bishop men used efficient shooting and better overall rebounding to steal the win from the scrappy Cougars, who played nothing like their now 1-9 record and 1-2 USA South mark would show. A battle between the projected top two teams in the East Division showed on this afternoon with the game remaining close throughout as neither team would lead by more than 7 points the entire way. Wesleyan would go on to shoot 58 percent for the game (33 of 57) and 50 percent from 3-point range while Averett missed 18 of their 29 attempted threes on the day. The Bishops also out-rebounded the Cougars 43-31 and out-blocked them 7-3.
Also playing well for the Bishops and scoring in double-figures was the trio of A.J. Frye, Ricardo Bullock, and Damon McDowell. Frye and McDowell each went for 15 points and 5 rebounds while Bullock posted 12 points and a season-high 5 blocks with 8 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Guard Josh Covington also had a good game off the bench playing a quality 15 minutes overall and some key minutes in the second half to finish with 7 points and 3 assists.
Wesleyan was so efficient shooting the rock in the second half that they actually made 17 of their 24 shots for a 70.8 shooting percentage while making 4 of 7 three-pointers as well.
The men now improve to 8-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference and will now step out of conference play for their next 3 games. They will first battle Div. I High Point University (N.C.) on the road Monday at 7 pm before heading to Washington, DC to compete in the Catholic University Tournament on Dec. 29-30.