FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.   Three Monarchs finished with at least 20 points to exact revenge over visiting William Peace University, defeating the Pacers, 98-88, in men's basketball, in Saturday-afternoon USA South Athletic Conference action.

Garren Dearman had a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field while Dante Burden scored a season-high 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Calvin Manley finished with career-high totals of 20 points and nine rebounds (also a game-high) on a perfect eight-for-eight shooting afternoon.

It was a high-scoring affair with an intense, championship-like atmosphere. The 186 combined points is the most in a Methodist game since February of 2018. The 98 points scored by Methodist represent the most since the Monarchs put up 103 against these same Pacers in the first round of the conference tournament last season. 

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. William Peace, 98-88
Records: Methodist 9-5 (5-1 USA South); William Peace 5-8 (3-2)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Burden gave Methodist its largest lead (18 points) at 69-51 following two consecutive three-pointers with 15 minutes remaining. Burden's first one was off of a steal and assist from Dearman while his second was a beautiful step-back jumper a la James Harden.
• The Pacers fought back into the game using their long-range shooting to eventually whittle down the Monarchs' lead. Threes from Donolly Tyrell Jr. and Camden Ferguson cut the lead to six at 81-75 with six minutes remaining.
• After Kaymon Mitchell's layup pushed the Methodist lead back up to eight at 87-79, consecutive baskets from deep had William Peace staring at a potential miracle, down only four (89-85) with three minutes to play.
• With 2:26 on the clock, the Pacers finally managed to make it a one-possession game, trailing 89-87. However, the Monarchs responded with poise and finished the game on a 9-1 run to secure the victory. Kevin McLaughlin Jr. provided the daggers in the form of two consecutive assists, finding Calvin Manley for the 91st point and Dearman behind the arc in transition to go up 94-87.
• The first 14 minutes of the game was the very definition of back-and-forth as there were 19 lead changes and eight ties in that timespan. Although, William Peace never led by more than two points and their last lead came at the six-minute mark with the score at 33-32.
• The Monarchs ended the first half making 12 of their 13 field goals en route to a 52-43 lead at intermission. Featured in that span was a 11-0 Methodist run that contained three Pacers' turnovers and a blocked shot that directly turned into eight points for the Monarchs.

STAT FACTS

• The Monarchs had a sizable advantage in points in the paint, outscoring the Pacers down low, 58-32. Methodist shot 62.9 percent (39-of-62) from the field, its second-best shooting percentage of the season. However, the 57.1 percent (8-of-14) the Monarchs shot from deep is actually a season-high.
• Through the first half, Methodist could not miss, shooting 70 percent (21-of-30) from the field and 80 percent (4-of-5) from deep in the period.
• Mitchell finished a bucket shy of joining the 20-point club. Mitchell had 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
• McLaughlin Jr. played the role of "Point God" terrifically, finishing with a career-high nine assists. That is the most by any Methodist player this season.
• Four William Peace players scored in double digits led by the 18 points of Tyson Sellers.
• The Monarchs got revenge for a December 14 loss to William Peace in Raleigh, N.C. The score was 93-79.

UP NEXT

• Could January 17 be a preview of the conference championship in the Spring? Methodist, the top-seeded team in the East Division, welcomes Covenant College, the top-seeded team in the West Division, to the Riddle Center at 7:30 p.m.
• The Pacers return to Hermann Athletic Center for the first of three consecutive home games. William Peace plays host to North Carolina Wesleyan on January 14 at 7 p.m.