Men's Basketball | 2/17/2013 7:39:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's basketball team dropped a 76-66 decision to LaGrange on Sunday afternoon in its regular-season finale.
 
The Panthers (12-11, 5-9 USA South) never trailed in the contest and used an 11-0 run late in the first half to take command of the game. After Tabias Hilliard pulled the Monarchs (9-14, 6-8 USA South) to within five points (21-16) at the 7:53 mark of the first half, LaGrange forced three consecutive turnovers and hit four of its next five shots from the floor in assuming a 32-16 lead by the 6:16 mark. Kyron Anderson began the run with a layup off a Dustin Baxter steal. Denzel Robinson then added a three ball and a layup and Baxter ended the run with a three pointer off an assist from Robinson.
 
The Monarchs chipped away at their deficit and pulled to within seven points (36-29) just over a minute before the break on a layup by Jake McSwain before Baxter drilled a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to play to give LaGrange a 38-29 lead at intermission.
 
In  the second half, LaGrange asserted itself with a 13-4 run midway through the period to turn a nine-point lead (50-41) into an 18-point advantage (63-45) with 7:18 left to play. The Panthers made efficient use of the free-throw line, making 6-of-7 attempts during the run, which was capped by a three from Mike White.
 
The Monarchs had one more surge in them and used a 17-5 burst to pull within six points (68-62) with 1:01 on the clock after a pair of made free throws by Bryan Hockaday. Hockaday scored eight points during  the run and Brandon Monk added a pair of buckets.
 
After cutting it to six however, the Panthers made 8-of-10 free throws down the stretch to keep Methodist at bay.
 
For the game, both teams struggled from the field as Methodist finished at 36.8 percent shooting (25-68) and LaGrange finished at 34.9 percent (22-63). The Panthers held a decided edge at the free-throw line, making good on 27-of-36 (.750) attempts, while MU made just 13-of-25 (.520). MU boasted a 47-43 advantage on the glass, but committed 26 turnovers to LC's 21.
 
Hockaday led the Monarchs with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. Monk and Hilliard added 10 points apiece. Sunday's game marked the last home game in the careers of seniors Kyle Combs and Billy Beddow and the pair was honored before the contest.
 
Kyron Anderson led the Panthers with a game-high 22 points, including a 9-of-12 showing at the free-throw line. Patrick Dugger added 16 points and nine rebounds and Robinson had 10 points and six boards. Marcus Vaughn chipped in seven points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Monarchs will return to action on Thursday when begin play in the USA South Conference Tournament. Methodist, the No. 5 seed will take on N.C. Wesleyan, the No. 4 seed, at 4:00 pm at the Crown Center Arena here in Fayetteville.