ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team fell 99-92 to conference foe Pfeiffer University (N.C.) at home on Saturday on Veteran's Appreciation Day.
Wesleyan took a one-point halftime lead at 49-48 by shooting 46 percent in the first half while Pfeiffer shot 36 percent and less than 27 percent from three.
The teams would then trade buckets throughout the second half with neither team able to lead by more than four with Wesleyan holding their 4-ppint edge at 90-86 with just under 3 minutes to play. Unfortunately, Pfeiffer would then go on a 13-2 run to end the game with the conference road win.
Pfeiffer improved to 7-6 and 2-3 in the conference while Wesleyan fell to 6-8 overall and 2-4 in the USA South.
The key in the game was the difference in three-point shooting as Pfeiffer attempted 47 treys and only made 12 (25.5 %). However that was 8 more threes than the Bishops made as Wesleyan went 4 of 16 from deep. Wesleyan did, however, shoot better than Pfeiffer overall (46 %) and at the free-throw line (74%).
Senior forward Rico Bullock led the Bishops with 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting while also bringing down 8 rebounds with 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Junior guard Damon McDowell also tallied 18 points along with a team-best 12 rebounds.
Freshman Guard Garrett Phillips and senior forward Mitch Layton also scored 10 points apiece with Layton also adding 4 rebounds, a steal, and a block. Senior center A.J. Frye posted 9 points with 8 rebounds and 3 assists as well. Freshman guard Tim Pettiford also added 7 points while junior guard Josh Covington led in assists with 5 and steals with 3 while also adding 6 points. Sophomore forward Isaiah Lewis then posted totals of 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a block.
The Bishops return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Raleigh to face rival, Peace University (5-8) at 7:00 PM.