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MBKvNCW 200212 Burden
Photo from Feb. 12, 2020
59
Methodist MUM 5-3, 5-2
68
Winner N.C. Wesleyan NCWC 10-5, 7-2
Methodist MUM
5-3, 5-2
59
Final
68
N.C. Wesleyan NCWC
10-5, 7-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Methodist MUM 39 20 59
N.C. Wesleyan NCWC 23 45 68

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ja'Shawn Steward-Johnson

Lead Slips Away Late in Rocky Mount

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  Methodist men's basketball was denied a series sweep of N.C. Wesleyan, when the Battling Bishops surged late to grab a 68-59 victory over the visiting Monarchs in USA South Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon.

The Battling Bishops' win comes on the heels of the Monarchs' 68-58 home triumph on Friday. Methodist moved ahead of N.C. Wesleyan for first place in the East Division standings following the win but now the Bishops are back in first place by virtue of playing -- and winning -- two extra league games more than Methodist and Pfeiffer (both 5-2 in conference).

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 68-59
Records: Methodist 5-3 (5-2 USA South); N.C. Wesleyan 10-5 (7-2)
Location: Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • For nearly 33 minutes, it appeared that Methodist would cruise to another victory. The Monarchs had led from Garren Dearman's opening basket onwards and after leading by as many as 19 points in the second half, the Monarchs found themselves sporting a 54-42 lead with 7:14 remaining.
  • Then the unfathomable happened…the Battling Bishops went on a 24-0 run to convert a 12-point deficit into a comfy 66-54 lead with under a minute to play. N.C. Wesleyan shot seven-of-nine from the field over the next six-plus minutes. The one and only lead change of the game came with 2:51 remaining when Khalid Chavis' three-pointer broke a 54-54 tie.
  • The Monarchs jumped on N.C. Wesleyan early, taking a 39-23 lead into halftime after ending the frame on a 14-5 run. J'Quan Deal extended that lead to 19 early in the second half with a layup off a Dearman steal. The Battling Bishops responded with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to nine but until the ridiculous run, the Monarchs and Bishops were simply trading baskets with Methodist still leading comfortably.

THE NUMBERS
  • Dante Burden played all 40 minutes and led Methodist with 13 points and three assists, plus five rebounds.
  • Deal had 11 points and four rebounds and Dearman had a stat line of 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
  • Chris George led the team with six rebounds and Kevin McLaughlin Jr.'s three steals were a team-high.
  • N.C. Wesleyan shot 64 percent (14-of-22) from the field in the second half, in addition to being rewarded with 22 attempts (making 14) at the charity stripe in the last 20 minutes alone. Damon McDowell led with 18 points.

UP NEXT
  • The Monarchs will look to return to form when they host Averett University on Tuesday, February 23 at 3 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for February 7 and these two teams have faced off once before this season. The Monarchs won that first matchup, 74-73, on the road.
  • Afterward, the stakes are high for Methodist when it takes on Pfeiffer University in the final season series of the regular season. The Monarchs host the Falcons on Friday, February 26 at 4:30 p.m. before traveling to Misenheimer on Sunday, February 28 for a 5 p.m. date. This series was rescheduled from January 29 and January 31.
  • N.C. Wesleyan will make up a game with Averett on February 26. The Battling Bishops host the Cougars at 1 p.m.
    
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