Rocky Mount, NC - In the USA South opener, the N.C. Wesleyan men's basketball team won a gritty contest over the Knights of Southern Virginia. In a thrilling match, NC Wesleyan's men's basketball team secured a 72-64 victory against Southern Virginia, Marquis Eskew showcased his scoring prowess with sixteen points, complemented by two rebounds, building on his Randolph-Macon Coaches Tournament all-tournament team performance. Austin Manley and Kyron Kelly were also sharp with eleven points each and a combined twelve rebounds. 

The Basics:

Score: N.C. Wesleyan 72, Southern Virginia 64
Location/Venue: Rocky Mount, N.C. / Everett Gymnasium
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (7-5, 1-0 USA South), Southern Virginia (3-10, 0-1 USA South)

The game's turning point was Wesleyan's stellar perimeter defense, limiting the usually sharp-shooting Knights to a mere 4-28 from beyond the arc, and not making a three in their first seven attempts. The Battling Bishop's offensive efficiency prevailed, shooting 44% from the field and making an impressive fifteen baskets in the second half. Wesleyan dominated the rebounding battle, securing a 45-39 margin.

Two Bishops who stepped up in a big way this evening were Jalen Mattocks and Justin Buden. In arguably his best game of the season, Mattocks tied his season high with twelve points, with one of the highest plus minus percentages on the floor for either team. Burden would match his teammates stat line for the evening with twelve points and seven boards to his name as well.

Up Next:

The Battling Bishops will hit the road for their first conference road game of the season as men's basketball hits the road to Pfeiffer on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 in Meisenheimer, NC.