ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team fell 78-54 to a hot-shooting rival on Tuesday night falling at home to Averett University (Va.) in their conference opener.
Averett got out to a 43-28 halftime lead by shooting 48 percent in the first half and 60 percent from three while the Bishops shot just 40 percent and made just one from long-range.
The Cougars (4-2, 1-0) then continued their quality shooting in the second half hitting at a clip of 54 percent while holding the Bishops to just 27 percent in the second half and only two threes to outscore them 35-26.
The Bishops fell to 0-4 to start the season as they went only 11 of 21 from the free-throw line while knocking down only three three-pointers as AU hit 51 percent overall for the game.
Wesleyan was led by 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks from senior forward Rico Bullock as well as 8 points and 8 rebounds and a block from senior center A.J. Frye. Freshman guard Tim Pettiford also tallied 8 points with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal in the loss. Senior forward Mitch Layton scored 6 points with 5 rebounds and a block as well.
Wesleyan will have a week off before again hosting Mid-Atlantic Christian in a non-conference matchup next Tuesday at 7:30 PM.