Rocky Mount, NC - In a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest that featured twelve lead changes and seven ties, the North Carolina Wesleyan men's basketball team came up just short on Wednesday night, falling 106–102 to Guilford in the home opener inside Everett Gymnasium.

Wesleyan (2–1) shot an impressive 59% from the field and scored 56 points in the paint, but Guilford (1–1) answered with timely perimeter shooting, 26 made free throws, and a key 26 second-chance points. The Bishops led 54–48 at halftime after shooting 64% in the first half, but the Quakers put up 58 points after the break to rally for the win.

Ro'Mello Pegues provided a huge spark off the bench, finishing with 21 points on 10-for-11 shooting and adding five rebounds. Rashod Smith delivered another strong all-around performance with 21 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals. Nasir Johnson added seventeen points and three assists, and James Jones recorded a double-double with ten points and thirteen rebounds. Markquan Gilbert scored fifteen points with seven boards, while Deejayy Cox chipped in nine points and ten rebounds.

Wesleyan's bench was a major highlight, outscoring the Guilford reserves 49–19.

Guilford was led by Braylen Salters with 26 points, including 14-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Gabe Proctor added 25 points and four threes. The Quakers forced twenty Wesleyan turnovers and converted them into 25 points.

After Pegues tied the game at 100 with under a minute remaining, Guilford hit free throws in the closing moments to secure the win while the Bishops' final possessions fell short.