FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team fell 68-58 on the road at rival Methodist University on Friday.
The loss drops NCWC to second place in the East Division at 6-2 and 9-5 overall while MU rises to first at 5-1.
The Monarchs got out to a 14-point lead at halftime after shooting over 46 percent in the first half while knocking down six of 12 three-pointers. Wesleyan shot only 33 percent in the first half and only made two threes as they trailed 40-26.
The Bishops then went on a run in the second half after being down 20 with 13 minutes to go by outscoring the Monarchs 26-13 over the next 11 minutes to get within 7 points of MU. However, it would not be enough as Methodist would close it out with defense and free throws down the stretch. Wesleyan held MU to just 28 points on just one trey and only 9 baskets in the second half but Wesleyan could not quite get their offense on track.
Senior wing Damon McDowell and forward Tim Pettiford led the Bishops with 14 points apiece along with 4 rebounds, and a block each while junior forward Isaiah Lewis scored 11 points and had a team-best 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Freshman guard Marquis Eskew also added 5 points and 2 assists while sophomore guard Brayden Dixon recorded 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Bishops will look to get revenge on the Monarchs when they host MU on Sunday at 2 pm back in Rocky Mount.