Rocky Mount, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan men's basketball team held on for a 57-54 win over the University of Mary Washington on Tuesday night in Everett Gym. The Bishops, who led by as many as 18 in the second half, survived a furious UMW rally down the stretch that saw the Eagles get off a pair of three-point attempts in the final four seconds. Both fell short, securing the victory and leaving Wesleyan with a 3-1 mark on the season.
Wesleyan scored the game's first seven points and never trailed en route to a 31-21 lead at the break. The Bishops opened up their 18-point advantage with 13:30 to go in regulation, 44-26. UMW, however, would not go down without a fight, as back-to-back treys ignited a 13-2 run that pulled the Eagles to within seven, 46-39, at the 7:57 mark.
The Bishops pushed the lead back to 11 at 53-42 on basket by junior Brandon Brown with 3:30 remaining. It would be NCWC's last field goal of the contest, as the team's final four points came on a 4-for-4 showing at the charity stripe by junior D.J. Weaver.
The Eagles proceeded to capitalize on a pair of missed free throws and two Bishop turnovers with back-to-back three-pointers in the final minute. UMW got two good looks at the tie on their final possession, but both fell short.
Junior Eric Dortch-Jones was the lone player to reach double-figures for the Bishops with 12 points on the night. Jalen Cannady pulled down seven rebounds, and Adrian Moore dished out seven assists.
Taylor Johnson paced the Eagles with 15 points, while John Lutkenhaus finished with a game-high eight boards.
After a short break for Thanksgiving, the Bishops will return to action on Saturday and Sunday when they host their annual Roger Taylor Invitational. The classic-format tournament kicks off with Greensboro and Wesley on Saturday at 5:00pm, followed by Wesleyan and Maryland Bible tipping off in the 7:00pm nightcap.