photo gallery: https://elonphoenix.com/galleries/mens-basketball/elon-vs-nc-wesleyan/326

ELON, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team opened their 2020-21 season on Wednesday evening with a tough exhibition matchup with the Phoenix of Div. I Elon University. The Battling Bishops unfortunately fell 82-52 on the road.

Elon (1-0) got out to a 40-23 lead at halftime by shooting nearly 52 percent in the first half and holding the Bishops to just 31.6 percent from the floor. However, Wesleyan stayed in the game by making 11 of 12 free throws in the first half.

NCWC then shot much better in the second half at 52 percent and climbed to within 16 points at 53-37 on a Damon McDowell jumper with ten minutes to go but, unfortunately, could get no closer from there as they struggled from the free-throw line and the three-point arc leading to their defeat. Wesleyan did hold the Phoenix to just two made threes in the second half and only 5 overall.

Junior forward Isaiah Lewis led the Bishops with 16 points on the night on 6 of 13 shooting along with 5 rebounds and 2 steals while sophomore guard Tim Pettiford also added 8 points and 5 rebounds.  

Freshman forward Kyron Kelly also made all three of his shots and finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, a steal and a block while freshman forward Drake Thompson also chipped in 7 points.

The Bishops will next return to action on Saturday at 4:00 when they make the trek to South Carolina for another D-1 exhibition battle with Coastal Carolina.