FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist University men's basketball took the court again on Saturday afternoon, December 2, as the team hosted Warren Wilson College in a non-conference game. The Monarchs secured the season sweep of the Owls following a 75-54 win inside the March F. Riddle Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Warren Wilson, 75-54
Records: Methodist 2-5, Warren Wilson 1-6
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After trading a pair of baskets to start the contest, Ron Jones scored the next four Methodist points to give the home team a four-point advantage. The Monarchs then utilized a 13-1 scoring run, with Derrion Hicklen converting nine of those points, to claim a 14-point lead, 23-9, over the next seven minutes of game action.
- A pair of threes by D.J. Squire and Alex Dawson during a separate ten-point scoring run saw Methodist push its lead to 35-13. In the final three minutes of the first half, Aaron Cuthburston registered six of the last eight Warren Wilson points to trim the deficit down to 15 points, 38-23, at the break.
- The opening seven minutes of the second half witnessed the two squad exchanging points before a six-point swing by the Owls made it a 12-point affair, 50-38. Warren Wilson continued to attack the net and were matching the Monarchs point-for-point for the next three minutes.
- A key block by Malek Ngong along with steals by Hicklen, Ngong, and Konner Raines sparked a 12-0 run by Methodist to increase its advantage to as high as 23-points, largest of the game. The Owls would tally six consecutive points in a final attempt to go after the lead but the Monarchs quickly scored six points themselves to seal the win.
MORE TO IT
- Hicklen narrowly missed a double-double after recording a team-high 21 points and a career-high nine rebounds. He also produced new career-highs in steals (five) & assists (four).
- Along with Hicklen, three other Methodist scorers reached double figures, Ngong (12 pts.), Jones (12), and Chance Minott (10).
- The Monarchs forced a season-high 24 turnovers, which turned into 28 Methodist points. Of those 28 points, 22 of them were fast break points.
UP NEXT
Methodist the next game is a road exhibition contest, meaning the game/stats will not count for the Monarchs, at cross-town rival Fayetteville State University on December 10, Sunday. Tip-Off is scheduled for 4 p.m.