ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - On a big night for the home opener with a special guest from ESPN in attendance, the NC Wesleyan College Battling Bishop men's basketball team put on a quality show in defeating in-state rival Guilford College (N.C.) 70-65 in front of a sold out crowd. The victory was revenge on the Quakers from a defeat just 10 days ago. The win also improved the Bishops to 3-1 on the young season.
Guard Josh Covington led the Bishops and all scorers with 16 points shooting 7 of 8 from the field while Wesleyan put 5 total players in double-figures for the evening. Senior forward Rob Wilson also played well tallying 14 points with 7 rebounds shooting 60 percent from the field.
Junior center A.J. Frye then finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds with an assist as he had a dominant game. Also scoring in double figures was senior point guard Chris Braswell with 11 points, 3 assists, and a steal while junior forward Ricardo Bullock registered 10 points and five boards along with a team-high 3 blocks.
Wesleyan managed a slim 32-31 lead at halftime as they shot 39 percent overall in the first half with GC shooting 48 percent. Each team also made exactly 13 shots and 4 threes in the half as well.
The second half saw the game go back and forth with it being tied 52 all with 6 minutes to play. However, NCWC would go on a 9-1 run to take an 8-point lead and hang on for the win down the stretch, pushing their advantage to as much as 10 at one point.
Wesleyan shot 60 percent in the second half to make the difference while holding the Quakers to just 38 percent shooting and only 28 percent from three to pick up the win. Wesleyan was also 7 of 8 from the charity stripe as well as they outscored the Quakers 38-34 in the half.
The Bishops are next in action all weekend as they host the 31st annual Roger Taylor Invitational on Friday and Saturday. They first tip off Friday night at 8 PM vs. Newport News Apprentice before hosting MACU on Saturday at 3.
