WINCHESTER, VA.  In just the second meeting all time between these two programs, Methodist men's basketball was defeated by Penn State-Altoona, 76-65, in the championship game of the Shenandoah Shootout Saturday afternoon.

The majority of the lead changes and numerous tie scores occurred in the first half, including eight lead shifts in the first 15 minutes of action. While the Monarchs' last lead came at the five-minute mark of the first half with a basket from Garren Dearman, Kaymon Mitchell tied the game at 46-46 with under 10 minutes to play in the game.

After previously snagging a career-high 14 rebounds against William Peace in mid-December, Mitchell topped that number with a preposterous 16 boards against the Lions. That figure is the most by a Monarch since the 2017-18 season. Mitchell also had 12 points, two assists, and a team-high three steals. It was Kevin McLaughlin Jr. that led the team in scoring with 15 points, in addition to hauling in six rebounds.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: PSU-Altoona def. Methodist, 76-65
Records: Methodist 6-5, PSU-Altoona 7-2
Location: James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center; Winchester, Va.
Event: Championship; 2019 Shenandoah Shootout

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Through the first 30 minutes of action, the Monarchs were defined by timely buckets, never trailing by more than six points. Mitchell, McLaughlin Jr., and Zaire Edwards all made shots that kept it a one-possession game early in the second half.
• Seeing his first extended action of the season with a career-high 20 minutes, Edwards' baskets was particularly timely. He made one-of-two free throws to cut the deficit to 37-36 and then eventually tied the game at 44-44 with a fastbreak layup at the 10-minute mark.
• Following another Zaire Edwards' layup that made it a 50-48 game, PSU-Altoona responded with a pair of steals and transition baskets to seize momentum and take a 56-48 advantage with seven minutes to play. The Monarchs never got within five points of the lead as the Lions shot well enough from the charity stripe to keep Methodist at bay.
• With PSU-Altoona leading 15-9, a 9-0 run by Methodist gave the Monarchs their largest lead at 18-15. John Baker made a three to tie it at 15-all while Mitchell followed up with a trey-ball of his own.

STAT FACTS

• In addition to McLaughlin Jr. and Mitchell, Dearman topped double-digits with 12 points. 
• Malik Edwards and Zaire Edwards each finished with seven points off the bench. M. Edwards also added a tidy stat line of five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
• Mitchell's double-double could not offset double-doubles from Andruw Harman (17 points and 11 rebounds) and Cameron Gardner-Nicholson (15 & 10).

UP NEXT
It is a return to USA South Athletic Conference play for Methodist as the Monarchs travel to Brevard, N.C., January 4 to take on the Tornados at 4 p.m.