Men's Basketball | 2/1/2009 5:44:57 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Christopher Newport came to Methodist University previously unbeaten in the USA South, but the Monarchs took an early lead and held on for the 61-57 win.

Christopher Newport (12-7, 5-1) scored the first basket of the game, but both teams exchanged baskets early before Methodist (8-11, 3-3) built up an eight point lead with 11:29 to go in the first half.  The Monarchs maintained their lead with senior #A.B. Lehmann# putting them up 36-26 with 21 seconds to play.  The Captains responded with a jumper at the other end to move within eight at halftime.

The Monarchs started the second half on an 8-2 run to extend their lead to 14 points but went scoreless over the next nine and a half minutes as Christopher Newport went ahead 46-44.  Methodist sophomore Travis Fulp stopped the drought with a jumper and junior Tyler Sigman's free throws helped Methodist regain the lead.  The Monarchs were ahead 57-52 with 36 seconds to go and the Captains cut the lead to three.  Lehmann was fouled with 22 seconds on the clock and hit both to go back up by five.  Thomas Whinnett drained a 3-pointer for Christopher Newport to cut the lead to two but Lehmann hit two more free throws to finish the 61-57 victory.

Lehmann led the Monarchs with 19 points while Sigman finished with 17.  Sophomore Marcus Connor had 10 rebounds and nine blocks.

The Monarchs will travel to Greensboro on Wednesday for a 7:30 pm tip-off.

Box Score