Raleigh, NC — The North Carolina Wesleyan University men's basketball team wrapped up its weekend at the William Peace Classic on Saturday evening, falling to Hampden-Sydney College 88-66 at the Hermann Athletic Center. Despite the setback, the Battling Bishops showed determination throughout the contest, particularly in the second half, as they continued to battle against a strong Hampden-Sydney squad. Coming off an impressive 94-84 victory over Johnson & Wales in Friday's season opener, Wesleyan entered the final day of the tournament looking to build on its early momentum. Although Hampden-Sydney established an advantage in the opening half, the Bishops responded with improved offensive execution after halftime and continued to compete until the final buzzer.
Hampden-Sydney came out strong offensively, using its perimeter shooting to establish an early lead. The Tigers connected on several three-pointers in the opening minutes, forcing Wesleyan to work from behind. The Bishops found early contributions from Rashod Smith, Omari Bolden, and Markquan Gilbert, but Hampden-Sydney continued to extend its advantage throughout the first half. Smith provided an offensive spark with three three-pointers before halftime, while Jamie Dance added a pair of triples late in the period to help Wesleyan find its rhythm. Despite the Bishops' efforts, the Tigers carried a 49-28 lead into the locker room after connecting on 11 three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.
Wesleyan returned to the court in the second half with renewed energy, showing significant improvement on the offensive end. The Bishops shot an impressive 51.7 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes, compared to 30 percent in the first half, while connecting on five additional three-pointers. Nasir Johnson helped lead the second-half effort, finding success inside and knocking down several mid-range jumpers to provide consistent scoring opportunities. Smith continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor, creating opportunities offensively while applying pressure defensively. Midway through the second half, Wesleyan put together a stretch of strong offensive possessions, with baskets from Johnson, Adonai Tyrance, and Smith helping the Bishops cut into the deficit. Although Hampden-Sydney maintained its lead, Wesleyan continued to fight for every possession and showed encouraging offensive production throughout the remainder of the contest.
Smith led the Battling Bishops with an outstanding individual performance, finishing with a game-high 21 points, three assists, four steals, and three rebounds. The senior guard connected on four of his six three-point attempts and added five free throws, providing a steady offensive presence throughout the evening. Johnson followed with 12 points and two assists, while Dance contributed 12 points and five rebounds off the bench, connecting on three three-pointers. Braylon Collins provided another bright spot for Wesleyan, delivering an efficient nine points in just 10 minutes of action. Collins was perfect from beyond the arc, knocking down all three of his three-point attempts, including several late in the second half. Gilbert added six points, while Bolden, Tyrance, and Marcus Portis each contributed two points. James Jones also helped facilitate the offense with three assists and four rebounds.
As a team, Wesleyan finished the contest shooting 40.7 percent from the field and an impressive 41.7 percent from three-point range, connecting on 10 shots from beyond the arc. The Bishops also received 25 points from their bench and committed just eight turnovers, demonstrating solid ball security against a challenging opponent. Wesleyan's offensive improvement in the second half was particularly encouraging, as the Bishops nearly matched Hampden-Sydney's scoring output over the final 20 minutes, finishing the period with 38 points compared to the Tigers' 39.
With the conclusion of the William Peace Classic, N.C. Wesleyan moves to 1-1 on the young season after splitting its two games over the weekend. The Bishops opened the tournament with an exciting victory and gained valuable early-season experience against competitive opponents. While Saturday's result was not the outcome Wesleyan hoped for, the team's second-half response, perimeter shooting, and individual performances provided several positives to build upon as the Battling Bishops continue their 2026-27 campaign.
