RALEIGH, N.C.  Methodist men's basketball went on the road Wednesday evening to take on William Peace University, in a USA South Athletic Conference showdown. After being tied at regulation this game headed into overtime, where the Pacers just edged out the Monarchs 81-78 at the Hermann Athletic Center.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: William Peace def. Methodist, 81-78
Records: Methodist 0-12 (0-1 USA South), William Peace 6-5 (1-0)
Location: Hermann Athletic Center; Raleigh, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A minute after the opening tip both Methodist and William Peace were tied at 4-4 before Michael Dulin drained three straight three-pointers to give the Pacers a 13-4 advantage. Eventually another three ball by Dulin put William Peace up 28-15 near the halfway point of the first half.
• The Monarchs utilized an 8-0 run, with Blake Lewis scoring half of the points, to cut the lead down to five, 28-23. In the last three minutes, the Pacers managed to increase their lead again by double digits, 39-27, at the halftime break.
• Methodist began the second half by doing what they could to stay within 12 points of William Peace's lead. It would pay off as T.J. East scored six of the next nine points to get it to a three-point difference, 51-48. Just when the Monarchs brought the score down, the Pacers tallied seven consecutive points and found themselves up by ten again.
• Following some exchange of points Derrion Hicklen became a one-man scoring machine for Methodist by registering five straight to make it a four-point contest, with 3:18 left. The Monarchs then closed out the second half, and regulation, on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 65-65 and force overtime.
• Montell Moore recorded the first bucket in OT to give Methodist their first lead since the 19:11 mark in the first half. Dulin drained a three to give William Peace the advantage once more and later on he would also convert two free throws to put them up 72-69. The Monarchs responded with a three by Clayton Coe to deadlock it at 72-72 and go to a second overtime.
• The Pacers scored a quick five points to take a 77-73 lead. After a pair of made free throws by William Peace, De'Shaun Kee made a layup and was fouled on the play. Kee knocked down his extra shot before East slammed his next shot home to get Methodist within one, 79-78.
• Tyler Parton made a bucket for the Pacers to put them up by three before a timeout, with 52 seconds left. Out of the timeout the Monarchs had the ball and ran their play but were unable to sink the game tying three.

MORE TO IT

• Scoring a new career-high and leading the team with 22 points was East. He also chipped in with eight rebounds and three steals for Methodist. The Pacers were led by Dulin with a game-high 24 points.
• Neither side shot well from behind the three-point line. Even though William Peace made 11 threes it would be on 45 attempts (24.4). The Monarchs would only make three of their 17 shots from downtown (17.6).

UP NEXT
Methodist stays on the road for another USA South match on Saturday. The Monarchs visit Mary Baldwin University for a 2 p.m. game.