Wesleyan wins Gallaudet Tournament, Hall named MVP

Washington, D.C. - The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan earned their first two wins of the season this weekend, including a 81-75 victory over Southern Vermont College in Saturday's championship game of the 2006 Gallaudet Holiday Tournament.  The Bishops had previously downed John Jay College on Friday night by a 92-73 to earn the right to face the Mountaineers on Saturday. 

Junior guard Lenny Hall (pictured) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after averaging over 20 points per game, while sophomore Adam Coleman also garnered All-Tournament honors.  Coleman averaged a double-double in the two-day tournament with 11 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Friday night saw the Bishops earn their first win of 2006-2007 when they defeated John Jay College by an 92-73 score.  Wesleyan held a slim 49-45 lead at halftime but managed to pull away in the second half, dominating the final eight minutes of regulation.

Hall led the Bishops with 20 points, while Sharard Carmichael recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 boards.  Coleman chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Junior Jarvis Cobb and freshman Trey Drake each added 11 points on the night.

In Saturday's championship game, Wesleyan took a comfortable 42-25 lead into the break and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half.  The Mountaineers, however, scratched their way back into the contest with a late run.  Two three-point baskets by Chris Matte and another by Nick Harrington cut the Bishop advantage to just four. 

Hall came to the rescue with some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.  He calmly sank 4-of-4 at the charity stripe in the final minute of play to secure the victory, finishing with a game-high 27 points en route to MVP honors.  Senior guard Emanuel Alston turned in a solid performance with 14 points, while Coleman netted 10.

The Bishops (2-3) will now enjoy a four-game homestand that begins on Tuesday night when Roanoke Bible College visits Everett Gymnasium.  Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.