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North Carolina Wesleyan jumped out to a 17-1 lead and never looked back, dealing the Pfeiffer University men’s basketball team their first loss of the season in a 101-68 USA South game on Sunday afternoon.

After being down 17-1, the Bishops extended their lead to 22-4, their biggest lead of the first half. Pfeiffer did put together a run and chipped away at the Bishops lead, tying the game at 34-34 following a basket by senior Donnie Haith (Aberdeen, N.C.).

NCWC would go on a 7-2 spurt to close the half, taking the 41-36 lead into the break after Damon McDowell hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

The Bishops took the momentum from that shot and started the second half on a 30-3 run to provide a 66-44 lead.

Pfeiffer could not recover and failed to get within 15 points the rest of the way.

Haith led the way for Pfeiffer by scoring 16 points while Sean Scott (Waldorf, Md.) and Diez Mungro (Latta, S.C.) had 12 and 11 points, respectively. Mungro and freshman Dorian Miles (Greenville, S.C.) each had a team-best five rebounds.

NCWC was led by McDowell’s game-high 34 points, while three other teammates managed double-figures. In addition to McDowell’s tremendous effort, Sal Young had a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds to pace the Bishops.

The loss drops Pfeiffer to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in USA South play while N.C. Wesleyan improves to 9-4 and 6-1.

The Falcons are scheduled to return to play on Wednesday, Feb. 17 in Merner Gym, hosting Averett in a 4:30 p.m. game.