Men's Basketball | 1/6/2013 6:48:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's basketball team held Maryville College to 27.8 percent shooting in the second half and erased an eight-point halftime deficit in emerging with a 65-61 win over the Scots on Sunday evening at the Riddle Center.
 
After trailing by eight at the break (34-26), Methodist (4-8, 1-2 USA South) clamped down defensively, allowing Maryville (6-7, 3-3 USA South) to make good on just 10-of-36 field goal attempts, including just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc, while hitting on 12-of-24 (.500) of their own shots from the field and outscoring the Scots, 39-27, over the final 20 minutes.
 
Methodist began the second half on a 9-2 scoring run, including four points from Tabias Hilliard, to quickly trim its deficit to one (36-35) on a layup from Brandon Monk with 16:18 to play. Maryville responded with a 7-0 run of its own to push its lead back up to eight points (43-35) on a three by Wes Lambert with 13:37 remaining. However, MU came back by scoring 13 of the game's next 16 points to take its first lead of the second half (48-46) on a layup by Bryan Hockaday with 9:04 to play.
 
Several minutes later, with the game tied at 53-53 a free throw by Kyle Combs game the Monarchs a 54-53 lead that they would not relinquish with 5:24 to play. After a layup by Jaumonee Byrd pulled the Scots to within three points (62-59) with 1:41 to play, Bryan Hockaday came up with a big block on MC's next possession that led to Hilliard knocking down a pair of free throws with 39 seconds left as Methodist held on down the stretch for the win.
 
The second-half rally came after Methodist gave away an early eight-point lead in the first period. The Monarchs came out and took and early 10-2 lead before the Scots used a 15-0 scoring run to assumea 17-10 lead with 13:21 to play in the first half. Maryville led by as many as 10 in the first period (34-24), but a leaning jumper by Austin Pack as the first half buzzer sounded sent the Monarchs into halftime down eight and set the stage for the second half.
 
Both teams struggled from the floor for the game. Methodist finished at 38.5 percent (20-52) shooting, while Maryville checked in at 35.0 percent (21-60). The Scots also made just 12-of-21 free throws, while MU hit on 22-of-32 attempts from the line. The Scots also held a 43-37 edge on the glass.
 
Pack and Hilliard led the Monarchs with 12 points apiece, combining to go 11-of-14 from the charity stripe. Keemon Ingram added 10 points. Bryan Hockaday chipped in eight points and seven rebounds and Brandon Monk had eight points and five boards.
 
Byrd led the Scots with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Oscar Butler and Jose Agosto added nine points and six rebounds apiece.
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Wednesday when they host Greensboro at 7:00 pm.