photo gallery: https://clewisncwc.smugmug.com/11-9-21-Basketball/
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College men's basketball team used solid defense and team ball to push past Guilford College 61-51 in their home opener Tuesday night.
Senior wing Damon McDowell led all scorers with 21 points on 8 of 19 shooting to help the Bishops to their second straight win. McDowell also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
Wesleyan got out to a strong start leading 21-11 after the first ten minutes of action before going cold offensively allowing Guilford to climb back into the game and get within 4 points. Wesleyan then used a jumper right before the first half buzzer from junior guard Brayden Dixon to make it 31-25 at the break.
The teams would stay within 4 points of each other throughout the first ten minutes of the second half before the Bishops pulled away going on a 13-5 run to make it 54-44 with 5 minutes to go.
The Bishops shot just 39 percent overall for the game and 26 percent from three, but held the Quakers to only 33 percent shooting and 23 percent from three to grab the win.
Junior forward Isaiah Lewis was the only other Bishop to get in double-figures scoring 12 points on 6 of 11 shooting along with 6 rebounds while point guard Khalid Hinds added 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals. Junior forward Sal-Bey Young also led the team in rebounds with 9 and blocks with two while Dixon led in assists with five.
Wesleyan improves to 2-1 and will next go on the road to Virginia to battle Mary Washington on Friday at 7 PM.