MISENHEIMER, N.C. -- The Methodist men's basketball team shot nearly 60.0 percent from the floor but could not overcome 33 turnovers in a 111-101 loss a Pfeiffer on Wednesday evening at Merner Gym.
 
The Monarchs (16-8) got 30 points from Bryan Rouse, his second game in a row with at least 30 points, and hit on 36 of 61 field goal attempts (.590), but committed 33 turnovers in the contest. Despite overcoming a 23-point, first-half deficit to take a lead with under eight minutes to play, Methodist was unable to hold on for the win.
 
The Monarchs turned a 57-36 deficit at the break into an 87-84 lead with 7:59 to play following a three-point play from Troynell Reese. Pfeiffer (18-4) got a layup from Evan Fosha 43 seconds later to cut its deficit to one (87-86), but Rouse restored MU's lead to 89-86 with a pair of free throws seconds later.
 
Craig Sabb and Fosha responded with back-to-back triples to put the home team up 92-89 by the 6:13 mark, and the Falcons never trailed again. Rouse tied the game once more at 92-92 with a three-point play, but Pfeiffer reeled off a 10-1 run to go up 102-93 with fewer than three minutes to play.
 
A layup from Rouse, coupled with a technical foul on Pfeiffer's Josh Calhoun, which resulted in a pair of free throws by Rouse, pulled the Monarchs within 104-104 with 1:14 to play. Brendan Jones answered with a key triple for the Falcons for a 107-101 lead and the Monarchs couldn't mount a rally in the final minute.
 
Rouse hit on 10 of 15 shots from the floor and 10 of 12 free throw attempts while adding five steals and three assists. Davion Ayabarreno scored 18 points with eight rebounds, Reese scored 13 points, blocked four shots and pulled down five boards. Jackson Whitley scored eight points, and added 11 rebounds with three blocks.
 
Calhoun led all scorers with 32 points and chipped in six assists and four steals. Sabb scored 14 points, Blake Smith added 12, and Brian Harper totaled 10 for the Falcons.
 
Methodist plays host to Ferrum on Saturday beginning at 2 pm.