Rocky Mount, N.C. - The women's basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan erased an 18-point second-half deficit en route to a 61-56 victory over USA South foe Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon in Everett Gymnasium. In her first collegiate start, freshman Shelby Jackson netted a team-high 10 points and pulled down six rebounds to pace the Bishops. With its second straight win, Wesleyan evens its overall record at 6-6 and now stands at 3-4 in conference play.

The Hornets took a 34-23 lead in the half thanks to five three-pointers in the period. Shenandoah went on to out-score the Bishops 14-7 in opening minutes of the second period for a 48-30 advantage at the 14:09 mark. Shenandoah looked to be on its way to an easy victory, but Wesleyan had other ideas.

It was then that a pair of free throws by sophomore Linesha Tinsley sparked a 12-0 Bishop run that cut the deficit to single digits. The spurt featured a pair of lay-ups by Samantha Urquhart and A'leisha Henderson, as well as a huge three-pointer by Monet Edwards. Freshman Derreon Cole capped the run with a 2-for-2 showing at the charity stripe to make the score 48-42 in favor of the Hornets.

Nicole Gilbertson ended SU's eight-minute scoring drought with a lay-up at the 6:27 mark. The Bishops answered with yet another run, this time out-scoring their opponents 13-1 over the next four minutes to take their first lead of the second half, 55-51, with 2:19 remaining. Shenandoah, however, battled back for one more tie, 55-55, on a Gilbertson free throw and Mandy Johnson three-pointer.

In the final minute of play, Tinsley continued to be a force as she hit her second bucket in the paint to give Wesleyan a lead. She and Tiffany Bell proceeded to go 4-of-4 at the charity stripe in the final 20 seconds, and a Kourtney Salisbury steal secured the five-point victory for the Bishops.

The victory is the first for NCWC over SU since January of 2005. A total team effort, nine different Bishops found the scoring column, led by Jackson's 10. Bell and Tinsley finished with nine apiece, while Urquhart and Edwards each managed eight rebounds. The Bishops won the battle-of-the-boards, 51-44.

Shenandoah (5-8, 2-4 USA South) was led by Gilbertson's game-high 14 points.

Wesleyan continues its current homestand on Wednesday night when Methodist University visits Rocky Mount. Tip-off is slated for 7:00pm in Everett Gymnasium.