FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Against the top-seeded team in the East Division, Methodist men's basketball was unable to hang on for a much-needed win as visiting Averett University escaped the Riddle Center with a 70-63 win in USA South Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.

Donning pink socks in support of the 14th annual Play 4 Kay Event, hosted by Methodist women's basketball, this contest was the second game of a doubleheader.

At the 10-minute mark of the second half, Methodist found itself ahead 49-48. Over the next four minutes, however, Averett transformed the contest with a game-altering 11-0 run to ultimately steal the win. At one point, early in the second period, the Monarchs were leading 42-33 and that nine-point advantage was their largest lead of the game. 

Dante Burden finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks but it was his playmaking that shined the brightest in this game. Burden's incredible ability to collapse defenses, resulting in him tying his career-high with nine assists. Six of those assists went for three-pointers (the Monarchs made seven total) as Burden was responsible for a total of 38 of the Monarchs' 63 points. Garren Dearman's 17 points off the bench was tied for the game-high.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Averett def. Methodist, 70-63
Records: Methodist 10-9 (6-5 USA South); Averett 14-6 (10-2)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a classic three-point play from Burden put the Monarchs ahead 45-37 at the 13-minute mark, the Cougars went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 45-45. Following the tie score, Isaiah Jones made good from downtown on two consecutive Cougar possessions. His first make gave Averett a brief 48-47 lead before Burden retook it and his second three gave the Cougars the lead for good.
• The second three by Jones moved the Cougars ahead 51-49 and it was the catalyst for the 11-0 run. The Monarchs just could not buy a bucket in that timespan as more than seven minutes went by without a made Methodist field goal.
• After an electric four-point Kevin McLaughlin Jr. play and a fastbreak layup from Dante Burden, the Monarchs were able to whittle down a 12-point deficit into a 65-59 score with 1:24 left on the clock. Averett managed to make enough free throws and earn enough defensive stops to prevent Methodist from closing the gap any further.
• Once McLaughlin Jr.'s three broke a 4-4 tie, the Monarchs would not trail again until the aforementioned Jones' three-pointers. That basket was part of an early 10-0 run by Methodist to jump out to a 12-4 lead. The Cougars did manage to recover, however, cutting the deficit to 30-26 entering halftime.

STAT FACTS

• The Monarchs led for more than 23 minutes in the game, compared to Cougars' spending about 13 minutes in the lead. When isolated for the second half, however, the numbers are more even. Averett led for 9:53 in the final period and Methodist led for 9:35.
• The Cougars can attribute their win to their shooting in the final stanza, shooting 49 percent (17-of-35) from the field in the half, compared to just 31 percent (10-of-32) in the first.
• McLaughlin Jr. was the only other Monarch to score in double-digits with 14 points.
• Calvin Manley finished with eight points, five rebounds, and a block.
• Three Cougars scored in double-digits, led by Montre' Cash's 17 points.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs are now fighting for their lives down the stretch as they visit Greensboro College, Tuesday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. A fifth straight loss could potentially have the Monarchs outside of the top four teams in the East.
• Meanwhile, Averett is looking to continue its bid to host the conference tournament with a February 4 home date against N.C. Wesleyan, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.