ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team suffered their first home loss of the season on Wednesday night falling 100-86 to the hot-shooting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin University (Va.).
MBU used a 58-point second half to outscore the Bishops 58-40 after trailing by four at the halftime break. MBU shot 58 percent in the second half and 46 percent from three while holding the Bishops to 48 percent shooting, but only 22 percent from three-point range.
Wesleyan played well in the first half shooting nearly 57 percent from the floor while senior wing Damon McDowell scored 20 of his game-high 34 points as the Bishops ran out to a 44-30 lead with 3 minutes to play in the half. However, MBU would close the half on a 12-2 run to get within four at the break.
MBU then took the lead for good at the 16-minute mark of the second half at 55-53. Wesleyan would get within one at 72-71 at the 9-minute mark that completed an 8-0 run, but MBU would again pull away with their fast-paced and high-octane offense to get the win.
MBU improves to 8-10 overall and 7-4 in the East Division while the Bishops fall to 7-4 in the Division as well and 15-7 on the season.
McDowell finished with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a block as well while junior forward Isaiah Lewis posted a double-double of 18 points and a season-high 14 rebounds along with 5 assists and 2 blocks.
Fellow junior forward Sal-Bey Young also finished with 13 points and 6 boards along with a block while sophomore guard Khalid Chavis-Hinds recorded 10 points and a team-best six assists.
The Bishops next remain home to host Southern Virginia in their home finale on Saturday at 4:00 PM.