Staunton, VA - The N.C. Wesleyan men's basketball team competed on Saturday in the last regular season game against Mary Baldwin University. While this one was nip and tuck down the stretch in the first half of play, the Battling Bishops shot nearly 37% from the field compared to Mary Baldwin's nearly 46% resulting in Mary Baldwin heading into the locker room with a five point lead, 38-33, on their home court.

The Basics:

Score: North Carolina Wesleyan 61, Mary Baldwin 66
Location/Venue: Staunton, VA / Physical Activities Center
Records: North Carolina Wesleyan (14-11, 8-6 USA South), Mary Baldwin (15-10, 11-3 USA South)

Down as much as double-digits in the first half, the Battling Bishops were able to trim the lead
to five before halftime due largely to the ten points scored and two triples made by Senior Austin Manley.

Out of the break, the Battling Bishops would go on an electric 13-2 run to take a 46-40 lead with
12:16 left in the second half. A layup by senior forward Kyron Kelly, a made triple and two made
free throws by Austin Manley, two made layups by sophomore guard Justin Burden, and a made
jumper by sophomore guard Deejayy Cox would contribute to this run.


The Battling Bishops would get up by as much as seven in the second half, but Mary Baldwin
would pull ahead with just under three minutes left in the game. The Squirrels would extend
their lead to four and while a free throw and a layup made by senior guard Marquis
Eskew would cut Mary Baldwin's lead to one with 1:20 remaining. The moment of hope the Battling
Bishops would be crushed as it was followed by a Mary Baldwin 6-0 run that would effectively
end the game.

Austin Manley would be Wesleyan's leading scorer with seventeen points and five rebounds while Marquis
Eskew got in double digits with thirteen points and Deejayy Cox had nine points to his name. Kyron Kelly
would have a team high of seven boards in the conference matchup.

Up Next:

The Battling Bishops will host Pfeiffer at 7:00 inside Everett Gymnasium on Tuesday Night for round one
of the conference tournament.