Juniors Zach Sloan, Logan Barbour and Raymond Benton combined for 68 points, including eight of Mary Baldwin's 10 three-point goals, along with 15 rebounds to lead the Fighting Squirrels past host North Carolina Wesleyan Saturday, 88-82, in the opening game of the 2025 USA South Conference men's basketball schedule.

Sloan led both teams with 31 points, including a 13-16 shooting performance from the field.  It was the third time this year he's reached the 31-point plateau. 

Barbour poured in 22 points, doubling his total from the first 10 games of the season.  Barbour knocked down 5 of 6 three-point tries and finished 8-for-10 from the field.  

Benton posted his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 of MBU's 22 rebounds.  He also added three of MBU's seven steals and two assists.

Those performances led the Fighting Squirrels to pull away late in the first half for a 23-point halftime lead (55-32).  The visitors needed that lead as the Battling Bishops battled back in the second half, using a 16-1 run late in the game to climb to within four points (75-71) before a pair of Sloan free throws with 2:48 remaining kick-started the visitors to finish off the victory.

Graduate student Jaden Ignacio added eight points and six of MBU's 12 assists in the victory.

The defending USA South Conference champion Fighting Squirrels (6-5, 1-0 USA South) returns to action Tuesday (1/7) for the first of three straight home games this week.  Brevard visits the PAC Tuesday at 5 p.m., followed by William Peace Friday, Jan. 10 (6 p.m.) and Pfeiffer Saturday (Jan. 11) at 2 p.m.