FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Despite a strong offensive start by the Methodist men's basketball team during Tuesday night's contest, the University of Lynchburg Hornets were even more successful, shooting 50% from the floor in the first half. The Hornets captured a 19-point lead by halftime and made 11 three-pointers during the 81-58 defeat over the Monarchs.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Lynchburg def. Methodist, 81-58
Records: Methodist 1-4, Lynchburg 2-2
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Hornets scored a two-point bucket to begin the contest before the teams traded two baskets from deep apiece on four consecutive possessions within the first two minutes. Methodist's threes were made by Malek Ngong and D.J. Squire, while Lynchburg's Cameron O'Connor made both for his team. As the Hornets held onto a slim lead, Methodist's Derrion Hicklen sank two free throws to bring the Monarchs to within one point (17-16) halfway through the first period.
• With under 10 minutes left in the half, Lynchburg sank another three, which Chance Minott answered with a two-pointer on the other end. From there, the Hornets made two free throws, then two layups, then two three-pointers to make for a 12-0 Lynchburg run in the span of two and a half minutes. Down 32-18, the Monarchs scored six more points in the final six minutes of the half, while the Hornets scored 11 points, which included the final three baskets of the period.
• Both teams had sluggish starts to the second half, with the Hornets scoring a layup and shooting 1-for-4 from the free throw line while a fresh lineup of Monarchs shot 0-for-3 from the field. Inside the 17-minute mark, Methodist's Squire nailed his second three of the night, but it was immediately answered by Lynchburg's Jake Hart who hit a three of his own that sparked an 11-1 run for the Hornets.
• With Methodist's deficit having now ballooned to 29 points, Konner Raines took charge on the next few offensive possessions, scoring back-to-back layups, then assisting on a three by Hicklen, and finally sinking a jumper in the paint. The effort reduced Lynchburg's lead to 25, but the Hornets pieced together a 7-0 run to make the score 69-37, giving them their largest lead of the night at 32 points. Methodist outscored Lynchburg 21-12 over the final eight minutes of the match, narrowing the final gap to 23 points.

MORE TO IT

• In his first collegiate start, sophomore Konner Raines played 30 minutes and scored a career-high 13 points. He sank six shots on seven attempts from the field and went 1-for-1 at the free throw line, adding four rebounds and two assists.
• Lynchburg shot 47.8% from the field during the entire contest, while Methodist was held to 34.5%.
• With depleted depth for Tuesday's contest, the Monarchs recorded just six points from non-starters, while 43 of Lynchburg's points were from the bench.

UP NEXT
Methodist travels to Georgia on Saturday to take on Piedmont University for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. Tipoff is slated for 12 noon.