Men's Basketball | 12/1/2009 9:19:45 PM

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Methodist took the lead midway through the first half, but Virginia Wesleyan took control to finish with the 83-66 win.

The Marlins (5-1) took the early lead, but Methodist sophomore Mark Jernigan gave the Monarchs (0-6) the 15-14 lead on a 3-pointer with 13:35 to go in the first half. Sophomore Tanner Carnes scored a basket to give Methodist three point lead, but Virginia Wesleyan responded with seven straight points to regain control of the game.  The Marlins led by as many as 16 in the first half before taking the 46-35 lead at halftime.

Methodist cut the lead to nine with another three from Jernigan midway through the second half, but that was as close as the Monarchs would get as Virginia Wesleyan earned the 83-66 victory.

Carnes scored a game-high 24 points with nine rebounds while Jernigan added 22 points and eight boards.

Virginia Wesleyan shot 58 percent from the field with four players scoring in double figures. Stephen Fields paced the Marlins with 17 points.

The Monarchs will travel to Salisbury this weekend for the Optimist Classic. Methodist faces host Salisbury on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Box Score