ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – It was nearly the biggest comeback in school history.

Shenandoah University rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit and a 23-point gap with just over seven minutes to play to cut it to just five in the final minute of its USA South Conference men's basketball game at NC Wesleyan, but could not finish the job in an 87-79 Bishops victory.

Wesleyan (7-12, 5-2 USA South) led 44-19 and 75-52 at the 7:09 mark only to see SU (9-10, 1-7 USA South) cut it to 80-75 with 59 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for coach Rob Harris and his Hornets, the hosts scored the next seven points of the game to ice the contest. Shenandoah missed two three-pointers and a layup during this same span.

Junior Moutkar Fawehinmi finally ended this scoreless streak when he hit a jumper with six seconds left. Fawehinmi was fouled on the play and after Emanuel Alston turned the ball over on the Fawehinmi's miss, Jeremiah Lawrence provided the final points of the game on a layup with two ticks showing.

The deficit proved to be just two large to overcome as NCWC took that 24-point halftime lead on the strength of 50 percent shooting from the field (18 for 36) and a 24-11 advantage on the boards. SU shot 9 for 27 (33.3 percent) during the first 20 minutes and turned the ball over 11 times.

But that all changed following the halftime intermission.

Harris' club scored a season-high 60 points in the final 20 minutes of play as they made 21 of 42 attempts from the field including three three-pointers.

Conversely, Wesleyan made 14 of its 33 attempts while turning the ball over 12 times. 

Lenny Hall led all scorers with 24 points while Jarmel Arrington had 23 for the victors. Fawehinmi had 21 for SU with Lawrence adding 19 and a game-high 12 rebounds. Stevie Johns rounded out the Hornets double-figure scorers 11 points.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah plays its final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday at DI Longwood University.