Basketball continues strong season

WPU basketball players surrounded by two Brevard College players

By Noah Jimison

RALEIGH, NC – William Peace University’s Men’s Basketball team continues their season after their third straight conference wins against Brevard college as they beat 82-78, improving their record to 12-6. 

They have had multiple USA South all-conference athletic awards during the season with players such as Junior Timothy Pettiford and Senior Beau Bryant. Junior Timothy Pettiford was recently named USA South Conference basketball player of the week, averaging 18.5 points per game this season. 

Sophomore Michael Dulin scored 25 points in their away game against Brevard with six rebounds as they stayed successful as their conference record is now 6-1. 

“The game at North Carolina Wesleyan University was a big one because they were down with four minutes to go and showed that they can compete at a high level,” Bryant said, which has helped motivate them to play with high energy for every game. 

They have seven games left for the rest of their season of which three are home and four are away. They strive to secure home advantage in the USA South conference tournament.

During previous years before reaching seven wins in their conference, it has happened in the last years because, as Coach Claude Shields stated, “COVID hit super hard and washed away a five-person senior group in the spring of 2021.” 

After the spring of 2021, many new players have played a role in creating a new culture in William Peace Basketball, including leadership from Beau Bryant and the efforts from new faces such as Junior Timothy Pettiford’s outstanding performances this year.