ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team dropped their home and season opener on Wednesday evening falling 88-68 to the visiting Hornets of the University of Lynchburg (Va.).
A cold shooting first half by both teams saw UL lead 33-27 at the break as each team shot around 30 percent for the half.
The shooting then picked up in the second half but UL's 64 percent from behind the arc and 55 percent for the half was too much for the Bishops to overcome as they could not rally. UL scored 55 points in the half while Wesleyan put up 41 shooting 44 percent.
The difference in the game came at the three-point arc as Lynchburg (2-1) was 15 % better than the Bishops on the night.
Wesleyan was led by junior guard Damon McDowell's double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. He also added a steal and a block while fellow junior guard Josh Covington also put up 14 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Senior forward Ricardo Bullock played well scoring 10 points with 5 boards, 2 assists, a steal and two blocks. Sophomore forward Isaiah Lewis also added 3 blocks, 8 rebounds and 4 points.
The Bishops will next return to action on Saturday as they travel to Greensboro for a neutral-site match at 5 PM with Mary-Hardin Baylor University (TX) at Guilford College. They will then battle the Quakers of Guilford on Sunday.