Bishops celebrate Senior Night with 74-67 win over Methodist

Rocky Mount, NC - The Battling Bishop men's basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan celebrated Senior Night in style on Monday night, coming from behind to down league-leading Methodist by a 74-67 score in Everett Gymnasium.  Seniors Lenny Hall and Jarvis Cobb (both pictured with Head Coach John Thompson) were honored prior to the game, and the two went on to combine for 22 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and six steals en route to the victory.  Wesleyan improves to 10-13 on the season, 3-7 in USA South action.  The Monarchs now stand at 14-9 overall, 6-4 in league play.

In the first half, the Monarchs raced out to a nine-point lead behind the hot shooting of Tyler Sigman, who finished with 10 points in the period. Down 20-11 midway through the period, the Bishops collected three consecutive steals to spark an 11-2 run that knotted the score at 22-22 with 8:08 remaining.

Wesleyan went on to out-score the Monarchs 16-9 the rest of the way, and the Bishops would take a 38-31 lead into the break.

The second half saw Methodist out-score the Bishops 21-6 to start the period.  Up by eight points at 52-44, the Monarchs again endured a Bishop run that saw Wesleyan regain the lead 57-56 on a jumper by Jarmel Arrington with 9:21 left in regulation.  The game would see two more ties before NCWC took the lead for good on a Trey Drake three-pointer at the 5:28 mark.

Hall finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four steals, while Cobb dished out four assists and pulled down four rebounds. Also reaching double figures, Arrington contributed 16 points, Trey Drake 15, and Adam Coleman 13.

For Methodist, Billy McDade poured in 16 points, while Travis McBryde and Sigman each added 15.  McDade and McBryde also hauled in four boards apiece.

The difference in the game came in the turnover column as the Bishops forced 23 by the Monarchs and committed just 10.  Wesleyan turned those 23 Methodist miscues into 28 points.

Wesleyan returns to action on Friday night when the Bishops visit Averett University. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Danville, VA.