Methodist University Athletics

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Randolph College built a 43-21 lead at halftime and held on to defeat the Methodist men's basketball team, 83-70, on Friday evening at the RAD Center.
 
Randolph shot 65.4 percent (17-26) in the opening 20 minutes, and held the Monarchs without a field goal for nearly five minutes to close out the half as part of a 39.1 percent (9-23) shooting effort in the first half.
 
Methodist trailed by a single point, 17-16, with 11:52 left in the first half following a Desmond Parker jumper, but the WildCats (5-2) outscored MU (2-5) 26-5 to close out the half and take a 22-point edge into the break. During the WildCats' run, Randolph shot a blistering 10-of-16 from the floor with six three pointers, while Methodist was held to 2-of-14 shooting with five turnovers. Seth Wimbish had three of RC's six triples during the run.
 
In the second half, Methodist heated up from the floor, converting 57.6 percent of its field-goal attempts and chipped away at its deficit, pulling within single digits late in the contest, before ultimately dropping its third straight. Tabias Hilliard scored 15 points in the second half alone, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, 4-of-4 from long range, while Mike Major and Parker scored 12 second-half points apiece.
 
The Monarchs' second-half production was countered by Randolph, which shot a shade below 50 percent (.478) and knocked down five more three-point attempts. Wimbish scored 13 points in the second half and finished with 22, while Cory Brown scored 13 in the second half as well.
 
For the game, Randolph held a 31-25 edge on the glass, and turned the ball over once more than MU (11-10). Randolph also had 21 assists on 28 made baskets, and the Monarchs had 17 assists.
 
Hilliard and Parker led the Monarchs with 18 points apiece, and Major finished with 15. Major led the team with seven rebounds, and Parker had four assists and three steals.
 
In addition to Wimbish's 22 points, Brown had 19, and Gordon Rogo added 16. Rogo also had seven boards, and Reid Jacoby handed out seven assists.
 
The Monarchs are off until Dec. 28 when they will host UW-Platteville at 2:00 pm.