GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Greensboro College used a late first-half run to take a 41-30 lead at halftime en route to an 86-69 win over the Methodist men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.
 
Methodist led 20-13 following a jumper by Austin Saunders with 9:13 left in the opening stanza but watched as GC embarked on a 23-6 run that gave the Pride a 36-26 lead with 2:47 left in the half following a layup by Simeon Howard.
 
The Pride (11-6, 4-2 USA South) shot 43.2 percent (16-37) in the first half, including six three pointers, while the Monarchs (6-10, 2-4 USA South) converted on 36.1 percent (13-36) attempts in falling behind after 20 minutes.
 
In the second half, Greensboro kept up the pressure and extended its lead to as many as 22 points before a late run by Methodist allowed the Monarchs to creep within single digits (73-64) as Tabias Hilliard with just under four minutes to play. However, the Pride quickly regained control and pushed their lead back up to 17 points with under a minute to play.
 
Hilliard and Davion Ayabarreno each scored a team-high 13 points, and Mike Major added nine points to go with eight rebounds and six steals.
 
Howard paced all scorers with 26 points and was one of four Pride players in double figures. Edric Roberts added 13 points, Joseph Gatling had 11, and Raheem Martin chipped in 10. Howard and Roberts each had eight rebounds, and Hamilton Hawkins contributed nine assists.
 
Methodist is back in action on Monday when it hosts Maryville at 5:00 pm.