ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College Men's Basketball team used their offense to put away their rival, William Peace (N.C.), 99-84 at home on Saturday.
Wesleyan gets back to .500 with their 3rd straight win improving to 9-9 overall and 5-5 in the conference. Senior center A.J. Frye led Wesleyan with 23 points on the day on 10 of 17 shooting. He also had 12 rebounds and 2 assists for his first double-double of the season.
Wesleyan put five in double-figure scoring with sophomore forward Isaiah Lewis scoring a career-high of 18 points with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Junior guard Damon McDowell also added 17 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal on the day as the Bishops shot 52 percent for the game and an impressive 54.5 percent from three-point range. Wesleyan held Peace to just 36 percent shooting overall and 34 percent from three as Peace attempted 47 threes on the afternoon.
NCWC led 53-44 at halftime using a first-half 23-11 run to put themselves ahead. Peace (7-10, 5-4) would then rally in the second half using a 22-13 run to start the half and tie the game at 66. Wesleyan, however, would then put the game out of reach with a strong 14-0 run to essentially end the game while making their free throws down the stretch for the win. The Bishops went 21 of 26 from the line, over 80 percent.
Freshman shooting guard Garrett Phillips also had a 4 for 4 day from the three-point arc as he finished with 12 points while senior forward Mitch Layton also added 11 points and 9 rebounds with 3 assists and a block. Freshman guard Devin Resper led the team with 7 assists along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals while senior forward Rico Bullock scored 8 points with 5 boards and a block. Freshman guard Tim Pettiford also added 6 points and 3 assists in the win.
The 9-9 Bishops, who are now 6-3 at home, will next hit the floor on Wednesday as they remain home to host Methodist University at 7:30 PM on First Responders Appreciation Night.