Raleigh, NC — North Carolina Wesleyan University's men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season in impressive fashion Friday night, securing a 94-84 victory over Johnson & Wales University Charlotte at the Hermann Athletic Center in Raleigh. Coming off a championship-winning campaign last season, the Battling Bishops carried their momentum into the new year with a strong offensive performance and a determined second-half effort to earn their first win of the season. In a competitive matchup that featured seven ties and 10 lead changes, Wesleyan maintained its composure and delivered when it mattered most. The Bishops held a narrow 43-42 advantage at halftime before finding their offensive rhythm in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 51-42 to pull away for the double-digit victory. Wesleyan shot an impressive 50 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range while converting 85.7 percent of its free-throw attempts. The Bishops also controlled the pace in transition, recording 32 fast-break points, 44 points in the paint, and 20 points off turnovers to help secure the season-opening win.
The first half saw both teams exchanging baskets and battling for momentum as Wesleyan worked to establish its offensive presence. After falling behind early, the Bishops responded with timely scoring and defensive pressure to take control midway through the opening period. Wesleyan built an 11-point advantage late in the half before Johnson & Wales answered with a run to narrow the margin to just one point heading into the break. The second half continued to deliver excitement as the Wildcats challenged the Bishops throughout the opening minutes, eventually taking a brief lead. However, Wesleyan responded with a series of clutch baskets, including several timely three-pointers, to regain control. With just over seven minutes remaining, the Bishops began to create separation, using defensive stops and transition opportunities to build momentum. Wesleyan's ability to execute offensively down the stretch and capitalize on turnovers ultimately proved to be the difference as the Bishops closed out the contest with confidence.
Jamie Dance delivered a standout performance off the bench, leading the Bishops with 19 points in just 19 minutes of action. Dance was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc, connecting on six of his seven three-point attempts while shooting 6-of-7 overall from the field. His impressive shooting performance provided a major spark for Wesleyan, particularly in the second half when his timely three-pointers helped shift momentum in the Bishops' favor. Rashod Smith followed with an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 18 points, 10 assists, and five steals while going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Smith's ability to distribute the basketball, create scoring opportunities, and apply defensive pressure played a major role in Wesleyan's offensive success throughout the night.
Markquan Gilbert added 13 points and seven rebounds, providing a strong presence on both ends of the floor, while Josh Laney contributed an efficient 12 points off the bench, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and adding four free throws. Nasir Johnson finished with 10 points and three steals, while James Jones chipped in eight points and five rebounds. Omari Bolden and Braylon Collins each added five points, and Marvin Tucker Jr. contributed four points and six rebounds. Wesleyan's depth was on full display throughout the contest, with the bench combining for 40 points and several players making valuable contributions in key moments. The Bishops also demonstrated impressive ball security, committing just six turnovers while forcing 13 from Johnson & Wales.
With the victory, N.C. Wesleyan begins the 2026-27 campaign with a 1-0 record, setting a positive tone for the season ahead. After capturing the USA South Conference Tournament Championship and earning an NCAA Tournament appearance last season, the Bishops showed that they are ready to build on that success. Friday night's performance highlighted the team's offensive depth, defensive intensity, and ability to respond under pressure, providing an encouraging start as Wesleyan looks to carry its winning momentum into the remainder of the season.
