SALEM, Va. Methodist men's basketball drop a close defeat, 65-63, in non-conference game against #20 Roanoke College on Wednesday night in the Cregger Center.  

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Roanoke def. Methodist, 65-63
Records: Methodist 1-4, Roanoke 3-0
Location: Cregger Center; Salem, Virginia

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Making the first two points of the game was Efosa U-Edosomwan of the Maroons. The Monarchs responded quickly when Jeremy Mull knocked down a three for the first Methodist points of the game. Two free throws by Chris George and a basket by Dante Burden put the Monarchs up 7-5.
• Five lead changes would occur in a six minute span before Burden scored five of the next seven Methodist points, to put the team back in the lead 18-12. Roanoke would then score 11 unanswered points to 23-18. The Maroons took an eight point advantage into the half, 30-22, after out edging the Monarchs 7-4 in the last four minutes.  
• Even though they found themselves down at the break, the Monarchs still kept finding ways to keep the contest close. Back-to-back jumpers by Kevin McLaughlin Jr. and Burden cut the deficit down to three, 42-39, with over 12 minutes left in the second half.
• Kasey Draper of Roanoke went on to score four of the next six points to push his team's lead back to nine point difference. Eventually the Maroons would make it a double-digit advantage after U-Edosomwan made a jumper, making the score 55-44.  
• A three-pointer by McLaughlin was the start of seven unanswered points to bring Methodist back within three. Later, another made three point shot from Clayton Coe made the score 62-60 with 27 seconds left.
• After two made free throws by Roanoke, Burden got the ball and drove to the hoop. He made the basket to make it 64-62 and was fouled on the shot to send him to the free throw line. Burden tried to miss the shot from the charity stripe so him team can try to get a tip in and force overtime, but he accidently made the shot.
• This forced the Monarchs to foul and send the Maroons to the free throw line. They made one of two and Methodist tired a desperate shot as time expired but would sail over the hoop.

MORE TO IT

• Coming up just shy of double-double was Burden with 23 points and nine rebounds, both of which were game-highs. U-Edosomwan led Roanoke with 17 points and five boards.
• The Maroons could have put this game out of reach if they shot better on their free throws. Roanoke was 13 of 25 (52%) from the line while the Monarchs made 17 of 20 (85%).
• The Maroons won the rebounding battle by a margin of 34 to 26 over Methodist.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to the Riddle Center on Saturday for a non-conference game against Piedmont University, with tip-off set for 4 p.m.