ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team used a strong second half performance and a career-high of 39 points from senior guard Damon McDowell in defeating Greensboro College 96-83 in conference opener action on Friday.
Wesleyan improves to 4-3 on the year and 1-0 in the conference.
McDowell shot a very impressive 15 of 21 from the field and 3 of 4 from three-point range while also bringing down 6 rebounds with 3 assists and 5 steals.
Greensboro got off to a strong start leading 21-11 midway through the first half on the strength of hot shooting from Greyson Collins. Wesleyan, though, would go on a 20-9 run to take a 31-30 lead and eventual three-point lead into the break. GC shot over 50 percent in the half while the Bishops shot 61 percent and 80 percent from three.
Wesleyan then kept up their quality shooting in the second half going 64 percent from the floor and 88 percent (15 of 17) from the free-throw line as they would go on to outscore the Pride 53-43.
Other than McDowell, three other Bishops finished in double-figure scoring led by 16 points from freshman guard Khalid Chavis-Hinds along with his season-high 4 steals. Junior forward Isaiah Lewis also scored 16 points with 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks as he had a nice all-around game.
Junior forward Sal-Bey Young also scored a season-high of 10 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block while freshman guard Marquis Eskew had a nice game off the bench with 8 points.
Wesleyan, who remains undefeated against D-3 competition, will next travel to Greensboro on Sunday at 2 PM to finish their weekend series with the Pride.