Senior Daniel Peterson scored 22 points and fifth year Greg Rowson added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team defeated North Carolina Wesleyan University, 81-56, on Saturday afternoon at Ron Rosner Arena, evening both teams' records to 1-1.

The Eagles started swiftly, scoring the first seven points of the game, with five from Peterson. The Eagle lead reached double figures (16-4) on a three-pointer from sophomore Dorian Davis with 14:02 remaining, and baskets from Devin Johnson and Cameron McCravy upped the margin to 20-4. A pair of Peterson free throws with 12:13 left upped the advantage to 22-4.

Eleven straight points from the Battling Bishops trimmed the margin to 22-15 with 7:51 remaining in the half, but a 7-0 Eagle run brought the lead to 31-19 3:40 left. UMW outscored NC Wesleyan, 8-5, in the final minutes of the frame to take a41-26 lead to halftime.

In the second half, the visitors cut the deficit to 41-31, before a three-pointer from Peterson and a dunk from Rowson pushed the UMW lead to 46-31, less than three minutes into action. Again, NC Wesleyan worked back to within 10, but again Peterson responded, with five straight points to give UMW a 54-39 lead with 11:37 to go. 

A 9-0 Eagle run, capped by another Peterson three, pushed the margin to 64-43 with 8:25 left. The lead stayed around 20 until the waning minutes, and a late three from Gabe Wilson upped the lead to 25, and the Eagles kept the distance the rest of the way.

Peterson made 7-10 field goals, including all four of his three point attempts, and Rowson was 8-12. Davis added 11 points off the bench.

UMW shot 51.8% from the field (29-56), making 8-21 three pointers and 15-22 free throws. NC Wesleyan shot 35.6% (16-45), making 2-10 long range tries and 22-29 free throws. The Eagles controlled the boards, 41-21.

The Eagles will be back in action on Wednesday, when they visit Hood College at 7:00 p.m.