Men's Basketball | 11/15/2011 9:27:00 PM

Box Score GREESNBORO, N.C. - The Methodist men's basketball dropped their season opener at Guilford College 65-53. The Monarchs (0-1) trailed by 10 at halftime and came out firing in the second half to cut the lead to four, but the Quakers (1-0) pulled away late to earn the win.

James Whitehead opened the scoring for the Monarchs draining a 3-pointer on the assist from Mark Jernigan. The score was tied on five different occasions during the first 20 minutes. Methodist took the 21-20 lead on a jumper by Bryan Hockaday, but Guilford closed the half on a 13-2 run to lead by 10 at the break.

Whitehead scored two baskets early in the second half and Terrell Stallings hit a jumper in the paint to cut the Quakers' lead to four with 16:03 remaining in the game. Guilford held the 37-31 advantage midway through the second half, but scored nine unanswered points to extend their lead to 14. Lanier scored eight of his 11 points in the final eight minutes, but the Monarchs could not close the gap as Guilford finished with the 65-53 win.

The Monarchs were led by Whitehead with 18 points while Hockaday had 11 points and eight rebounds. Lanier scored 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting from behind the arc.

Guilford had three players in double figures paced by Gabriel Lowder with 13 points.

The Monarchs will be back in action this weekend as they compete in Marietta's Shrine Tournament Nov. 18-19.

Box Score