SALISBURY, N.C. – The Newberry Wolves (0-1) opened their season against UNC Pembroke (1-0) as part of the SAC-Peach Belt Challenge, ultimately falling to the Braves by a score of 97-81.
 
After the opening tip, the Braves hit a quick pair of free throws to get on the board, but freshman guard Omari Wilson was able to respond immediately with a three-pointer on the first shot of his Newberry career, giving the Wolves the 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, that was the last lead the Wolves would see all night.
 
The Braves went on the offensive, reeling off an 11-1 run to take a nine-point lead in just three minutes into the game. Following that run, the Wolves were able to play the Braves evenly due to contributions from Angelo Sales Jr. and Marshall Lange, both of whom scored nine points in the first half, cutting into the deficit and leaving the halftime score at 50-43 in favor of UNCP.
 
Newberry came out strong after the break, continuing to chip away at the Braves lead with eight quick points from junior guard Luke Gibson in the opening four minutes. Behind Gibson's hot hand, the Wolves managed to bring the game to within three points at 54-51, but the Braves were able to weather the storm and rebuild their lead.
 
As the second half continued, the Wolves remained competitive, but the Braves were able to steadily add to their lead, getting ahead by as much as 18 points. When the final buzzer sounded, UNCP claimed the season-opening victory.
 
The Wolves offensive attack was a balanced one, with four different players scoring in double-digits. Lange led the way with 15 points on 6-11 shooting, while Sales Jr., Wilson, and Gibson scored 13 points each. Sales Jr. also flirted with a double-double, securing a team-high eight rebounds on the night.
 
Despite the across-the-board offensive effort, the Wolves were ultimately unable to overcome an efficient night from the floor for the Braves, who converted on 52.9 percent of their shot attempts, as well as doubling up the Wolves in the paint by a margin of 52-26.
 
The Wolves will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in their second and final game of the SAC-Peach Belt Challenge when they take on the Francis Marion Patriots (0-1), who fell to Catawba 115-82 earlier in the day. That game will tip-off at 4:00 pm.