Men's Basketball | 1/20/2010 8:58:27 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Washington and Lee by as many as 18 points before the Monarchs cut the lead to four, but the comeback fell short as the Generals won 59-53.

Midway through the second half, Washington and Lee (10-5) took the 48-30 lead before the Monarchs (0-15) started to heat up. Sophomore Mark Jernigan cut the lead to 10 on a 3-pointer with 5:45 left in the game. Sophomore Tanner Carnes drained a three with 1:21 to go to move the Monarchs within four.

The Monarchs kept up the pressure, but turnovers proved costly as the Generals held on for the 59-53 victory.

Washington and Lee opened up the game with a 7-0 lead before a three from Jernigan cut the lead to three. The Generals finished the half on a 6-0 run to lead 23-16 at the break.

Washington and Lee continued their run through the first five minutes of the second half with a 10-1 run to lead 34-17. Freshman Steven Kerr stopped the run with a traditional three-point play to spark the Monarchs' comeback.

Kerr and Jernigan tied for the team-high with 13 points a piece. Carnes added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Zac White paced the Generals with 13 points from the bench.

The Monarchs will take the road this weekend to face Christopher Newport on Saturday and Shenandoah on Sunday.

Box Score