RALEIGH, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan College men's basketball team squeaked out a come-from-behind victory over conference rival Peace University 96-93 on the road Wednesday evening to clinch their 4th straight win.
Led by senior guard Chris Braswell's team-leading 23 points, the men rallied back from a nine-point second half deficit to edge the Pacers by making their free throws down the stretch and improve to 14-2 overall and 7-1 in the conference.
Wesleyan used 15 three-pointers while shooting over 41 percent from behind-the-arc and 45 percent overall to help them to the win. The Bishops led by 12 in the first half 38-26 before Peace went on a 13-3 run to end the half trailing Wesleyan by 2.
Wesleyan then shot nearly 57 percent in the second half and 83 percent from the free throw line along with 8 threes to score 55 points and hang on for the win. After Peace (7-9, 3-5) led 76-67 midway through the half, the Bishops would go on a 25-10 run to go up six and then make 4 free throws for the win.
Braswell led the Bishops with 5 three-pointers along with 4 assists and 3 rebounds while guards Damon McDowell and Cameron Martin also made 3 treys apiece and were 2 of 6 players to finish in double-figure scoring. McDowell finished with 16, 5 rebounds, a block and 2 steals while Martin added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal off the bench.
Senior shooting guard Justin Tankelewicz iced the game down the stretch by making all 7 of his free throw attempts while also contributing 2 threes as he finished with 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench as well.
Junior center A.J. Frye also added 14 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double along with his team-best 5 assists, 2 steals and a block while fellow forward, Ricardo Bullock added 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a season-high 5 blocks.
The men are back in action on Saturday at 2 PM when they return home to host Pfeiffer University (NC) for the "Back to School Jam."