FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. In the final game of Methodist's non-conference slate, the Monarchs overcame an 18-point second half deficit to defeat visiting Ferrum College, 72-70 in the Riddle Center on Saturday afternoon.

With six seconds left, Garren Dearman found Kaymon Mitchell for the game-winning layup. Methodist trailed for 19 minutes in the 20-minute second half before Dearman's three-pointer gave the Monarchs a 70-69 lead, their first since the score was 9-4.

Methodist led for all of 26 seconds in the second half, buoyed by a 14-3 Monarch run to finish off the game. Methodist only led five minutes altogether in a contest that featured only three lead changes and three ties.

This rematch was much more competitive than the November 15 game between the same two teams. The Monarchs defeated Ferrum on their home court in Virginia, 77-58.

Just like in that game when Methodist outscored Ferrum in points off of turnovers, 29-9, the Monarchs capitalized off of turnovers again Saturday at home. Methodist totaled 25 points off 17 Panthers' turnovers, including forcing 12 Ferrum turnovers in the second half. The Panthers was only able to convert three points off of nine Monarch turnovers.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Ferrum, 72-70
Records: Methodist 5-7; Ferrum 2-10
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was not until there was only two minutes remaining that the Monarchs were finally able to cut the deficit down to just five points. The game-defining moment came with a minute and seven seconds left in the game. Dante Burden went up for the layup and missed. Somehow, while he was sitting on the floor, Burden was able to get his own offensive rebound and still while sitting, find Malik Edwards at the top of the key for a three to make it a two-point game with the score, 69-67.
• Kevin McLaughlin Jr. forced the turnover on Rashad Reed on the ensuing possession and Edwards found Dearman for the go-ahead three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining.
• Reed was able to come up with the offensive rebound after a missed layup and was fouled, he made one-of-two free throws to tie the game at 70.
• After Dearman hit Mitchell for the layup, the Monarchs' pressure forced a loose ball as the Panthers crossed half court and Steven Gilbert had no choice but to launch a desperation heave in the direction of goal.
• RJ Turner opened the second half with a three to give the Panthers a 18-point lead, their biggest of the game. It would take the Monarchs eight minutes before they whittled the lead back down to single-digits, thanks to two straight fastbreak buckets by Dante Burden.
• Midway through the second half, the Monarchs were twice able to cut the deficit to six points. Once on a three-pointer by Malik Edwards and a second time on another three-pointer by Dearman. Nick Helton responded with an impressive three-point barrage as he hit four straight shots from behind the arc as a response to Methodist. Helton scored 12 consecutive points for the Panthers and Turner earned the assist on three of the four buckets.
• Midway through the first half, Ferrum went on a 17-4 run that turned a 20-16 score into 37-20. In that five-minute stretch, the Panthers shot four-of-six from behind the arc with Nick Helton leading the way with 10 of Ferrum's 17 points.
• The Panthers were shooting lights out in the first half from behind the arc, going 7-of-17 on three-pointers. Marcus Huff, Reed, and Helton each knocked down two trey-balls in the first half.

STAT FACTS

• Five players scored in double-digits for Methodist, led by Mitchell who had a team-high 16 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds. Edwards added 14 points off the bench and Dearman had 12 points as the pair went 5-of-8 combined from behind the arc. J'Quan Deal finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
• Despite scoring 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting, Burden still played the role of catalyst for this Monarch team. Burden led the team with five steals, including four in the second half, and he also dished a team-high four assists.
• This win today is the seventh consecutive win over Ferrum for Methodist. The Monarchs have swept the Panthers three consecutive seasons.

PANTHERS' GLANCE

• Helton had a game-high 22 points, thanks to him shooting a lights-out 6-of-7 from behind the arc. He also had seven rebounds.
• Huff earned a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. His four assists was tied for a game-high. To complete the trio, Reed was the third player to score in double-digits for Ferrum with 18 points to go with four rebounds.

UP NEXT

• It's all USA South Conference games from this point on as Methodist will be at home in the Riddle Center to play Brevard next Saturday, January 5 at 4 p.m.
• It will be a quick turnaround for Ferrum College as they on the road to play Bridgewater College (Va.) in a conference game at 4:30 p.m.