RALEIGH, N.C.  Methodist showed off its championship chops by rallying from a 14-point, second-half deficit to defeat visiting William Peace University, 83-80, in USA South Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon in the Riddle Center.

With under 11 minutes to play, the Monarchs found themselves trailing 70-56. Over the next eight minutes, Methodist rallied with a 20-4 run to retake the lead. Dante Burden's two made free throws gave the Monarchs a go-ahead 82-80 edge with 20 seconds left. J'Quan Deal came away with a clutch defensive rebound and then a made free throw with 7.7 seconds remaining, and Garren Dearman sealed the game with a steal on the Pacers' final possession.

It was a joint effort as Dearman (23) and Burden (22) combined for 45 points and Deal's last rebound gave him his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 boards.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Methodist def. William Peace, 83-80
Records: Methodist 2-1 (2-0 USA South); William Peace 1-3 (0-2)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Dearman took over during the 20-4 run. He scored 11 of the Monarchs' 20, including the game-tying layup at 74-74 following a Kevin McLaughlin Jr. steal.
• The two teams traded baskets until the score was tied at 80-80 with 1:24 left. That remained the score until Burden drew the foul on a drive and made both free throws, and then the Pacers' John Burwell missed his layup and had to foul after Deal recovered the rebound. William Peace's potential game-tying shot was never attempted after the Monarchs ruined two Pacers inbound plays before Dearman's steal.
• William Peace caught fire from deep in the second half. The Pacers made seven of their first 10 shots from downtown in the final stanza as William Peace turned a 45-43 halftime deficit into a 70-56 lead. Their shooting went cold, though, as they missed all five of their threes during the Methodist run.

THE NUMBERS

• Dearman had eight rebounds, which was second most on the team, and he scored his 23 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting. Burden had seven assists, six boards, and four steals, along with his 22 points.
• Burwell led the Pacers with 22 points.
• The difference in the game was the Monarchs' ability to get to the free throw line. Methodist went 22-of-25 from the charity stripe, compared to six-of-nine by William Peace. That differential helped make up for the nine more three-pointers that the Pacers made (14) over Methodist (five).

UP NEXT

• Methodist's next game is a home date on Friday, January 29 against Pfeiffer University at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, January 31, the Monarchs travel to Misenheimer, N.C., as the Falcons play host at 5 p.m.
• William Peace will square off against Greensboro College, going on the road on January 29 at 4:30 p.m. before hosting on January 31 at 1 p.m.