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ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team used a major comeback in the second half to put away rival Methodist University 68-59 at home on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, Wesleyan takes over first place by improving to 10-5 overall and 7-2 in the East Division while Methodist falls to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in the East.
Methodist got off to a strong shooting start in the first half en route to a 39-23 halftime lead. MU shot over 53 percent in the half while holding the Bishops to just 27 percent shooting and only one three-pointer. However, that would all change in the second half.
MU would again start out fast in the second half increasing their lead to 19 points at 43-24 before the Bishops would go on a season-defining run by outscoring Methodist 42-11 over the final 15 minutes to dart out to a 66-54 advantage with under a minute to play. Wesleyan would shoot an impressive 63 percent (14 of 22) in the second half while holding the Monarchs to only 16 points in the half, only two treys and just 21 percent shooting.
Senior wing Damon McDowell led the Bishops with 18 points along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists while junior forward Sal-Bey Young posted a season high of 17 points and a team-best 10 rebounds and 2 steals.
Sophomore forward Tim Pettiford also had a good game scoring 13 points with 5 rebounds and a block while junior forward Isaiah Lewis scored 7 points with 8 rebounds but blocked a career-high six shots. Freshman guard Khalid Chavis-Hinds also played well in the second half scoring 9 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
The first place Bishops will finish their regular season by hosting Averett at 1:00 PM on Friday afternoon.