Men's Basketball | 2/15/2012 9:53:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist men's basketball team led by as many as nine points in the second half, but N.C. Wesleyan College came back and knocked off the Monarchs 57-54.

N.C. Wesleyan (13-10, 7-4) took the early 17-8 lead and led by as many as 10 points midway through the first half. The Monarchs (8-17, 5-7) got hot late and Steven Kerr drained three 3-pointers to go along with one from Tyler Farias. Methodist trailed 35-30 at the break.

The Bishops scored the first basket of the second half, but the Monarchs came back with a 13-1 run to lead 43-38 with 11:39 remaining in the game. Terrell Stallings hit a three and Kerr hit his fifth straight 3-pointer of the game to put the Monarchs up by nine with 10 minutes on the clock. N.C. Wesleyan started to chip away at the lead and with 4:33 left regained the lead. The game was tied at 52 when the Bishops scored a layup to lead 54-52. Methodist had two turnovers on their next two possessions but Kyle Combs made it to the free throw line to tie the game at 54 with 1:11 on the clock. Both teams came up short on their next shot attempts before N.C. Wesleyan set up with 23 seconds remaining. The Bishops worked it around running the clock down before Josh Morrison drained the 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left on the clock. Methodist got the ball on their side of the court with 1.0 second remaining to try a final shot, but it rimmed out giving N.C. Wesleyan the 57-54 win.

Kerr led the Monarchs with 15 points with five 3-pointers. Bryan Hockaday had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Mark Jernigan added 10 points.

Matt Doughterty and Morrison finished with 11 points apiece for N.C. Wesleyan.

Methodist recognized seniors Devonne Blackshear, Tyler Farias, Mark Jernigan and Terrell Stallings in their final regular season game.

The Monarchs have wrapped up the regular season and await the final USA South standings on Saturday to determine their first round action on Tuesday.

Box Score