Men's Basketball | 12/12/2010 8:08:56 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist men's basketball team returned to the Riddle Center for their first home game in two weeks and produced an entertaining 75-72 win over Maryville College.

The first 11 minutes of play were tight with neither team gaining a real advantage. With 8:51 to play, Maryville led 18-17, but the Monarchs went on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes and 20 seconds to take the 29-18 lead. The Scots came back to cut the lead to six with 1:21 to play, but Methodist's Tanner Carnes hit two 3-pointers in the final 1:04 of the half to give the Monarchs the 42-30 lead at the break.

Methodist led by as many as 14 points in the second half before Maryville battled back to tie the game at 51 with 11:22 remaining. The Monarchs trailed briefly at 58-57 and 60-62, but the Bryan Hockaday scored eight points over the final five minutes to help Methodist prevail with the 75-72 win.

Maryville cut the lead to two with 8.1 seconds to play, but Methodist's Josh Hayes was sent to the free throw line and scored on his second attempt forcing the Scots to go for a last second 3-pointer that came up just short.

Carnes led the Monarchs with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Jernigan scored 13 points and Hockaday finished with 12 points.

Maryville had three players in double figures paced by Eryk Watson with 23 points.

Methodist will be back in action Dec. 17-18 at the Birmingham-Southern Classic.

Box Score