Men's Basketball | 2/16/2009 9:44:07 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist came from behind to knock off the N.C. Wesleyan Bishops 77-72.

N.C. Wesleyan (14-9, 4-6) jumped out to the 9-2 lead, but the Monarchs (9-14, 4-6) rallied with a 7-0 run to take the 11-9 lead.  The lead changed four times during the first half with Methodist holding the 34-31 lead with 1:28 to go in the half. The Bishops knocked down two free throws to move within one and Trey Drake drove through the lane to score the layup for N.C. Wesleyan to lead 35-34 at the break.

The Bishops held onto the lead early in the second half, but the Monarchs came back and took the lead with a layup from junior Tyler Sigman with 15:50 to go. Methodist built up a 10 point lead on three different occasions, but with 50 seconds left the Bishops moved within four points.  Methodist senior #A.B. Lehmann# hit two free throws while N.C. Wesleyan knocked down one.  Lehmann converted two more free throws before Domarius Thomas sank a 3-pointer with 15 seconds on the clock to the cut the lead to four points.  Freshman Devonne Blackshear finished with a final free throw to preserve the 77-72 victory.

Sigman led the Monarchs with 20 points while Lehmann scored 19 and freshman Mark Jernigan added 16 points with nine rebounds.

The Monarchs will finish the regular season on the road at Christopher Newport on Friday and Shenandoah on Saturday.

Methodist recognized seniors Lehmann and Alex Meadows prior to the game for their hard work and dedication to the men's basketball program.

Box Score