RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Methodist men's basketball team fell 81-68 at William Peace on Wednesday evening.
 
The Pacers (6-9, 2-2 USA South) used an 11-0 run in the first half to extend a one-point advantage (20-19) to an 11-point cushion (31-19) with 5:07 on the clock en route to a 40-31 lead at halftime. Michael Wolf started the run with a three pointer, and following an MU (6-9, 2-3 USA South) turnover, Jay-Len Roberts threw down a dunk for a 25-19 advantage at the 7:34 mark. Bryson Gibson capped the run with a three-point play.
 
Methodist responded with a spurt of its own that halved the Monarchs' deficit to six points (35-29) on Tabias Hilliard's three-point play with 2:11 showing on the clock, before the Pacers took the aforementioned nine-point lead into the break.
 
The Monarchs pulled within four points (45-41) less than four points into the second half on back-to-back layups by Mike Major, but MU saw its deficit grow to 11 points (56-45) on Jalen Vince's layup at the 9:44 mark, and William Peace cruised to the win.
 
Methodist shot just 38.3 percent from the floor (23-60), including a 1-of-11 mark from beyond the arc (.091). The Pacers shot an even 50.0 percent (29-58) for the game, and drilled 7-of-18 three pointers (.389). William Peace also held a 44-32 edge on the glass.
 
Major led the Monarchs with 18 points, hitting 8-of-12 free throws, and added seven rebounds. Hilliard added 16 points, T.J. Gill chipped in 15 and Brandon Monk had 13 points. Chris Vinson contributed seven rebounds, and Gill had three assists.
 
Ryan Emfinger had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Pacers. Shawn Shaffer added 14 points, and Vince had 10 points and eight assists. Chris Thomas contributed six points, 10 boards and four assists.
 
Methodist is back in action on Saturday at Greensboro beginning at 2:00 pm.