Clutch free throws give Wesleyan men 87-79 win over SU
Rocky Mount, NC - The Battling Bishop men’s basketball team knocked down 22 consecutive free throws in the second half on Saturday afternoon, sealing an 87-79 win over visiting Shenandoah in USA South Conference play at Everett Gymnasium. Sophomore Sharard Carmichael (pictured) led the way by going 10-for-10 at the line during the stretch. NC Wesleyan is now 6-7 on the season, 1-0 in league play.
The Hornets (6-7, 0-2) out-shot the Bishops in the first half 48 percent to 39. SU, however, committed 15 turnovers in the period that allowed Wesleyan to forge a 36-30 lead at the break.
The Bishops could not pull away in the second half, and two free throws by Jeremiah Lawrence gave Shenandoah a 47-46 lead with 13:55 remaining. The two teams then traded baskets en route to a 51-51 deadlock at the 13:02 mark. It would be the last tie of the game.
Wesleyan pulled away thanks to a 20-7 run over the next five minutes. The Bishops knocked down 14-of-14 at the charity stripe during that stretch, but Shenandoah did not go down with a fight.
The Hornets scratched their way back into the game with a late run of its own, and a Mouktar Fawehinmi three-pointer with 1:42 left in regulation pulled SU to within two at 81-79. Unfortunately for Shenandoah, it would be their last score of the game.
Carmichael and freshman Trey Drake combined to sink 6-of-6 at the line in the final minute, and a thunderous one-handed dunk by Adam Coleman sealed the deal for the Bishops, who celebrated their first conference win of the season.
Lenny Hall paced five double figure scorers for Wesleyan with 18 points and five assists. Drake added 16 points, five assists, and five steals, while Coleman and Jarvis Cobb each netted 14 points. Carmichael finished with 13.
As a team, the Bishops shot 41 percent and scored 35 points off of Hornet turnovers.
Shenandoah was led by Lawrence’s 30 points and 16 rebounds. Fawehinmi also recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 boards.
Wesleyan continues USA South play on Tuesday when the Bishops travel to Christopher Newport. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
