Rocky Mount, NC - The North Carolina Wesleyan men's basketball team capped a perfect weekend at the Roger Taylor Invitational with a 66–51 victory over Newport News Apprentice Saturday afternoon inside Everett Gymnasium. The win lifts the Bishops to 6–2 on the season following back-to-back tournament victories.
Wesleyan leaned on its defense throughout the contest, holding Apprentice to just 29.6% shooting from the field and 2-of-21 from three-point range. After building a 28–20 advantage at the half, the Bishops continued to control the tempo in the second half, outscoring the Builders 38–31 to pull away for the 15-point win.
Rashod Smith and Justin Burden led the Bishops with fourteen points apiece. Burden added a team-high thirteen rebounds for his third double-digit rebounding performance of the year, while Smith chipped in three assists and a steal. Deejayy Cox contributed eleven points and a game-high ten rebounds, anchoring the Bishops on the glass. Nasir Johnson added twelve points, four steals, and a key three-pointer during a decisive second-half stretch.
Wesleyan finished with a 43–32 rebounding edge and scored sixteen points off turnovers while forcing twelve Apprentice miscues. The Bishops also converted 23 free throws, helping maintain separation in a game that featured eight lead changes early before Wesleyan took control for good.
Apprentice was led by Shamon Rosser and Devon Brown with nine points apiece, while Jahlil Hope added a team-high fourteen points off the bench. The contest carried added significance for Apprentice head coach Michael Gainey Jr., who returned to Rocky Mount, where he played basketball at Rocky Mount High School. Gainey was a member of the 2012 3A State Championship team and helped lead the program to a runner-up finish in 2013.
The two-day Roger Taylor Invitational featured North Carolina Wesleyan, Newport News Apprentice, Greensboro, and Mid-Atlantic Christian. Following the conclusion of the event, six players were named to the All-Tournament Team. Representing North Carolina Wesleyan were Rashod Smith, Justin Burden, and Deejayy Cox. Tyus Williams earned honors for Mid-Atlantic Christian, Shamon Rosser was selected from Newport News Apprentice, and DJ Jackson represented Greensboro.
