Peace outlasts Wesleyan in USA South action, 68-56

Raleigh, NC - Peace College outscored North Carolina Wesleyan 27-10 over the final ten minutes of play on Wednesday night, earning its first USA South basketball victory of the season by a 68-56 score.  The Bishops, who led 46-41 at the 10:09 mark, saw their lead slip away at the hands of the Pacers' Christy Freeman.  Freeman scored 16 of her game-high 30 points during the stretch.  Peace now stands at 7-11 on the season, while Wesleyan drops to 4-13 overall.  Both squads are 1-7 in league play.

The Bishops held an early eight-point lead in the first half, but the Pacers battled back to tie the game at 25-25 on a Freeman jumper with 2:23 remaining in the period.  PC went on to close the half with an 8-3 run to forge a 33-28 lead at the break.

The second half saw one tie and four lead changes before the Pacers pulled away for the victory.  The Bishops were just 11-of-21 at the free throw line and knocked down only 1-of-6 attempts from behind the arc in the period.

Freeman was the only Pacer to reach double figures. 

The Bishops were led by freshman Shameika Faircloth's 16 points, while J.D. Richardson, Lawanda Scott, and April Wilson each chipped in 12.  Wilson completed the double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds.

Wesleyan returns to USA South play on Saturday when the Bishops travel to Winchester, VA to take on Shenandoah University.  Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m.