ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team outlasted visiting conference foe Greensboro College 88-78 on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mount.
The Bishops were led by a double-double from junior center A.J. Frye, his 7th of the season, as he scored a team-high 23 points with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Senior point guard Chris Braswell also had a stellar shooting game as he made five 3-pointers en route to 19 points along with a season-high tying 8 rebounds and 8 assists, also a team-high.
Wesleyan improves to 18-3 overall and 11-2 in the USA South with their 3rd straight win.
Greensboro (2-18, 1-11) got off to a fast start shooting 70 percent within the first ten minutes to lead 22-13. However, Wesleyan would then close the half on a 33-16 run as each team shot 50 percent apiece in the first half with the Bishops leading 46-38 at the break.
The Pride would rally back some in the second half going on a run of their own by shooting 50 percent from three and almost 60 percent in the half to trim Wesleyan's lead down to just five at 75-70 with 6 minutes to play. However, the Bishops would immediately go on a 13-3 run to stretch their lead out to five and cruise to their 11th conference win. Wesleyan shot 55 percent in the second half and also 50 percent from three while they were 9 of 10 from the free-throw line as well.
Also scoring in double figures for the men were seniors Justin Tankelewicz and Robert Wilson as they each posted 12 points apiece. Tankelewicz added 4 assists and a steal to go along with his four three-pointers while Wilson added 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Junior forward Ricardo Bullock scored 6 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and a block while sophomore guards Josh Covington and Damon McDowell also combined for 12 points with Covington adding 4 assists and a steal. Junior forward Mitch Layton finished up the scoring with 4 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.
The men are next in action on Wednesday on the road at conference rival Averett University (Va.) at 7:30 PM. The men edged the Cougars 84-82 in the teams' first meeting back in December.