Wesley Falls in Shootout

Box Score

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - Rashawn Johnson scored 35 points , but there were few other highlights as the Wolverines fell 114-102 to North Carolina Wesleyan in their season opener.

The bucket was part of a feverish comeback bid in the second half.  Wesley (0-1) trailed by as much as 38, 74-36, with 18:13 to play.  The Wolverines would whittle the lead down over the remainder of the half, getting as close as 11 after a Jermaine Carter (Richmond, Va./Thomas Jefferson) three-pointer with 13 seconds to play.

In the first half, the Battling Bishops (1-0) went on runs of 15-0 and 29-7 to take control of the game and led 68-32 at the half after shooting a scorching 66 percent from the floor and 6-of-7 from long distance.

After the two teams combined to attempt just eight free throws in the first half, they shot 58 combined in the final 20 minutes.

Johnson, who hit 14-of-28 field goals in the contest, was the only Wesley starter to reach double figures in scoring.  The senior also added three steals in the game.  

However, Chris Douglas (Springdale, Md./Jericho Christian Academy) came off the bench for a career-high 14 points after scoring just six all of last season.  The sophomore hit 10-of-12 free throws and both of his field goals.

James Stratton (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) scored 13 points off the bench.  Kevin Johnson (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) grabbed a team-high five rebounds, but Wesley was outrebounded 51-33.

Jarmel Arrington led North Carolina Wesleyan with 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-7 from distance.  Trey Drake added 14 points and dished out seven assists.  Domarius Thomas scored a dozen points and Lamont Stokes netted 11 in the win.

Alex Murray led all players with nine boards, while Adam Coleman grabbed eight.

Wesley forced the Battlin' Bishops into 25 turnovers, while committing just 18.

The Wolverines will look to rebound with a trip to the Buzz Ridl Classic at Westminster College on November 21 and 22.  Wesley will take on Carnegie-Mellon on the first day, before playing the hosts on Saturday.