DANVILLE, Va. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team out up a valiant fight and shot 50 percent overall, but could not rally in the second half falling 86-77 on the road to conference leader Averett University (Va.)
A low-scoring first half saw the Bishops struggle to shoot just 35 percent with one 3-pointer as Averett took a 10-point halftime lead at 37-27. Wesleyan did, however, hold Averett to just three 3-pointers as well in the half.
Wesleyan then picked up their play in the second half shooting a scorching 65 percent in the half and 53 percent from three-point range while scoring 50 points as they mounted a rally on the division leaders.
Wesleyan limited the Cougars to under 50 percent shooting in the half and only threes, but Averett's free throws down the stretch were enough to propel them to the win.
Senior center A.J. Frye and junior wing Damon McDowell led the Bishops with 20 points each as Frye made a season-high 4 of 6 three-pointers along with bringing down 5 rebounds with 2 steals. Along with McDowell's 8th 20-point game of the season and third straight, he also added 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Also finishing in double-figure scoring for the Bishops were forwards Rico Bullock and Isaiah Lewis as they each scored 10 points apiece. Lewis also brought down a team-best 8 rebounds with a steal and a block while Bullock blocked 2 shots with 5 rebounds and an assist.
NC Wesleyan falls to 10-11 overall and 6-7 in the conference with the loss while Averett improves to 15-6 and a conference-best 11-2.
The Bishops will now return home to host West Division foe, Berea College (KY), on Saturday at 2:00 PM.