MARIETTA, Ohio — Brandon Monk scored 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Tabias Hilliard added 18 as the Methodist men's basketball team held off La Roche, 78-73, in the consolation game of the 45th Annual Shrine Tournament hosted by Marietta on Sunday evening.

Methodist (2-2) led for the majority of the game, by at least 10 for much of that time, but the Red Hawks  (0-3) mounted a second-half rally that saw a their 38-30 deficit at the half turn into a 59-57 advantage with 10:09 left to play.

The Monarchs responded with a 15-5 run, including five points each form Jabari Brown and Davion Ayabarreno, to assume a 72-64 lead with 3:16 left to play. La Roche managed to trim its deficit to three twice late in the game, the last time coming on Evan Bonnaure's three pointer with 17 seconds to play. 

Hilliard was able to make it a two-possession game with a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession and a desperation three from Arnes Bajgora was off the mark. Hilliard finished the night 5-of-10 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and he was also 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. 

Ayabarreno added 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for MU. Jackson Whitley chipped in eight points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks, while Brown finished with nine points off the bench.

Bajgora led all scorers with 27 points and added six rebounds. Bonnaure scored 14 points and dished out five assists, and Andy Abreu added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench. 

The Monarchs are back in action on Friday at Bluefield beginning at 7:00 pm.

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