Fayetteville, N.C. - North Carolina Wesleyan women's basketball picked up its first win of the 2012-13 season over the weekend, downing Hood College by a 63-59 score on Saturday at the 2012 Methodist University Turkey Shoot. The Bishops later fell to #13 Mary Washington on Sunday, 58-48, in a game that was much closer than the final score might indicate.

In Saturday's win over Hood, the Bishops forged a 29-24 halftime advantage and pushed their lead to ten points, 37-27, less than three minutes into the second half. Hood, however, battled back to take a three-point lead at the 5:02 mark, 54-51. 

A back-and-forth game from there, a basket by sophomore NeTaih Davis would later force the game's eighth tie with 1:20 remaining, 57-57. After a pair of missed free throws by Hood, Davis put the Bishops on top for good with two makes at the charity stripe. NCWC proceeded to go 4-of-6 at the line in the final minute to secure the four-point victory. 

Wesleyan simply dominated the glass, out-rebounding Hood (1-1) 69-39 on the night and creating 18 second-chance points. Senior Samantha Urqhuart pulled down a game-high 12 boards, while Leann Breeden and Tiffany Bell added eight apiece.

Junior Shanice Goree led the offensive effort with a team-high 13 points, and she was joined in double-figures by sophomore Derreon Cole with 11.

On Sunday versus the nationally-ranked Eagles, the Bishops closed out the first half with a 12-4 run and trailed just 29-27 at intermission.

The Bishops started the second half on a 6-0 run to take a 33-29 lead, but UMW answered with a 12-4 run of its own to regain the lead, 41-37, with 10:59 to go. The Eagles later led 50-42, only to see the Bishops storm back with six unanswered points for a 50-48 score with 1:30 remaining.

UMW (4-1) got a much-needed basket on its next possession, and unfortunately, the Bishops were unable to get the big three they needed down the stretch. Forced to foul, the Eagles would go 6-of-6 at charity stripe in the final minute to secure the final score.

Bell led NCWC with 15 points, while Goree finished with nine.

Wesleyan (1-3) return to action on Tuesday when the Bishops host the Apprentice School. Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm in Everett Gymnasium.