MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Tabias Hilliard scored his 1,000th career point, Brandon Monk went for 30, and the Methodist men's basketball team used a huge second half to defeat Maryville, 91-76, on Friday night.

Hilliard finished with 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 effort from beyond the arc, in becoming the 21st play in MU history to reach 1,000 points. Monk shot 9-of-16 from the floor and scored at least 24 points for the third time in as many games.

The Monarchs (7-11, 3-4 USA South) outscored the host Scots (12-6, 3-4 USA South) 59-37 in the second half to negate what had been a seven-point deficit (39-32) at the break.

For the game, the Green and Gold shot 53.8 percent from the field (28-52) and got to the line an astounding 39 times, converting on 29 attempts (.744). Conversely, MU held Maryville to 38.6 percent shooting (27-70) and boasted a whopping 48-28 edge on the glass.

Trailing 39-32 at the break, MU opened the second half with a 14-5 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Brandon Monk, to take 46-44 lead with 13:40 left to play. The game remained close, and Maryville regained a 58-56 lead before another surge from the Monarchs, this one a 16-3 spurt, gave the Green and Gold a commanding 72-61 edge with 5:21 on the clock following Davion Ayabarreno's jumper. 

Maryville never threatened down the stretch as the Monarchs coasted to their second consecutive win.

Mike Major added 16 points, 13 rebounds and four assists for the Monarchs. Ayabarreno added 10 points and four helpers, and Jackson Whitley chipped in seven points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and four assists.

Spencer Shoffner had 19 points to lead the Scots. Logan Brewer had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Jay Bowyer added 15 points. 

The Monarchs will seek their third straight win on Saturday at Covenant beginning at 6:00 pm.

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