Men's Basketball | 1/15/2011 4:25:48 PM

LaGRANGE, Ga. - The Methodist men's basketball battled through 40 minutes with LaGrange College to earn their sixth win of the season with a 53-48 victory over the Panthers.

The Monarchs (6-9, 1-1) came out firing with an 11-2 lead through the first six and a half minutes. LaGrange responded with a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game with nine minutes remaining. The Panthers led by as many as seven before Methodist closed the lead to 27-25 at the break.

Terrell Stallings started the second half off with two free throws to tie the game at 27. The lead changed three times during the half before Bryan Hockaday gave Methodist the lead for good with 6:10 left to play. LaGrange trailed by just two points with 47 seconds on the clock, but the Panthers came up empty during the final seconds while Josh Hayes tacked on three points to ensure the 53-48 win.

Hayes led the Monarchs with 15 points while Stallings added 12 points and Hockaday grabbed 10 rebounds.

Marcus Vaughn paced LaGrange with 16 points.

Methodist will be back in action on Monday when they host N.C. Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score