ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College women's basketball team ousted conference rival Averett University (Va.) 87-74 at home for their fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon as they pulled into a three way tie for 1st place atop the East Division in the USA South.

Wesleyan used balanced scoring led by six different ladies finishing in double-digit points to get the impressive win. Sophomore Guard Kayla Johnson led the Bishops with 17 points and 5 assists while fellow sophomore Javana Jones tallied another double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. 

Senior guard Nadiya Holley also played well falling a rebound shy of a double-double herself as she scored 16 points while bringing down 9 boards with 2 assists.  Fellow guards, senior Jermaiyah Baker and sophomore Cydney Nichols also played well scoring 12 and 10 points apiece while shooting 9 of 16. They also combined for 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals with Baker adding a block to end the first half.

Wesleyan got out to a huge first quarter lead at 29-12 after shooting nearly 69 percent from the floor while Averett struggled shooting just 26 percent. The Bishops then kept it up in the second frame tallying 22 points on 44 percent shooting and 60 percent from three to lead 51-32 at intermission. Wesleyan then held Averett to 27 percent shooting in the third, but dropped the quarter 21-17. Averett then took the fourth quarter as well by just two points 21-19 as the Bishops never let the Cougars get within 13 points during the whole second half.

Wesleyan finished the game shooting a quality 45 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the line as junior forward Arreon Walter was the final member of the Bishops to finish in double-digit scoring with 11 points and 4 rebounds. Senior guard Daijah Davis also played well scoring 8 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

NC Wesleyan improves to 7-9 overall and 5-2 in the conference while Averett drops to 9-6 and also 5-2.

The Bishops are back in action tomorrow, Sunday, to host conference foe Mary Baldwin University (Va.) (12-6) at 2 PM inside Everett Gym.