VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team defeated the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan College 80-69 on Friday afternoon in the first game of the NCAA Division III 2021-22 season at TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA. 

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Virginia Wesleyan 80 - North Carolina Wesleyan 69
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 1-0 | North Carolina Wesleyan 0-1
Location: TowneBank Arena | Virginia Beach, VA

INSIDE THE SCORE
The first points of the game came two-plus minutes into action off of a pair of free throws from Tim Fisher to get the Marlins on the board first. NCWC quickly responded with a basket before Eric Rowland hit a three off a pass from Miles Wallace to go up 5-2. VWU led a 16-9 run that included four Marlin three pointers to take a 10 point lead, 21-11, with ten to play in the opening half. Virginia Wesleyan's lead grew to as many as 16 points, 30-16 with six minutes to play. VWU held on to its double-digit lead through the remaining six minutes and headed into halftime with a 16 point advantage, 45-29.

The Marlins maintained a double-digit lead throughout a majority of the second half and it was not until 4:38 on the clock when the Battling Bishops cut the Marlins lead to single-digits (nine points) with the score sitting at 72-63. The last four minutes saw the teams trading points but Virginia Wesleyan managed to hold off North Carolina Wesleyan to win 80-69. 

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Corey Pelham with 20 points with 12 coming from four three-point shots. Tim Fisher tallied 16 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, and sophomore Eric Rowland was the last Marlin in double digits with 11 points and seven rebounds.

BATTLING BISHOPS LEADERS
The Battling Bishops were led by Brayden Dixon with 23 points going 9-of-16 from the field. Tim Pettiford was close behind with 20 points and eleven rebounds. Isaiah Lewis was the last Bishop in double-digits with 15 on the day. 

UP NEXT
The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team hits the court again tomorrow, Nov. 6, in the championship game of the TowneBank Tipoff Tournament. The Marlins will face the Eagles of the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse.