Campbell men roll past Peace

BUIES CREEK — Jesus Carralero scored a career-high 19 points to lead Campbell to an 85-50 men’s basketball win over William Peace in the Camels’ season opener Tuesday at Gore Arena.

Jordan Whitfield added 14 points for the Camels, who wrapped a 35-5 run around halftime and led by as many as 38 down the stretch.

Rashod Rouse and Donolly Tyrell Jr. led the Division III Pacers (0-1) with nine points each.

Campbell shot 59.6 percent (31-52) on the night, assisted on 23 of 31 buckets and outscored William Peace in the paint by a 52-10 margin.

CU finished with a 43-29 edge on the boards, led by Gediminas Mokseckas, who pulled down a career-high 8 rebounds in 16 minutes. Laurynas Vaistaras came off the bench to score a career-best eight point for Campbell, which doubled up the Pacers (44-22) after halftime.

“In the second half, we were tougher, and imposed our will defensively,” said Campbell head coach Kevin McGeehan. “Overall, we played pretty well and shared the ball well.”

William Peace pulled within 29-28 when Tyrell canned a three with 5:58 left in the opening half. However, Ricky Clemons started a 12-0 run to close the period with a drive to the hoop with 4:43 to play. Messiah Thompson capped the burst with a corner three, the Pacers missed their final 11 shots of the stanza and the Camels led by 41-28 at intermission.

Mokseckas capped Campbell’s 35-5 run – including 16 unanswered points – with a layup in transition that pushed the Camel lead to 64-33 with 12:53 to play.

Carralero made 6-of-8 from the field, 6-of-8 from the line, blocked three shots, added two assists and two steals in 14 minutes off the bench. Clemons matched his career high with five assists and grabbed a career-best seven boards.

Campbell held the Pacers to just 28 percent shooting (17-60). William Peace made more threes (9-29) than two-point shots (8-31). CU made nine more free throws (20-29) than the Pacers attempted (7-11).

The Camels return to action Friday in the Duke Veterans Day Weekend Showcase. Campbell faces 2021 NCAA tournament participant Hartford at 1:30 p.m. before taking on the ninth-ranked Blue Devils on Saturday at 8 p.m.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)