MISENHEIMER, N.C. The Methodist men's basketball team tasted victory Wednesday night with a 73-72 road win over Pfeiffer University. The Monarchs trailed by as many as 12 points in the contest but fought back to earn their first win under head coach Aloysius Henry.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Pfeiffer, 73-72
Records: Methodist 1-19 (1-8 USA South), Pfeiffer 8-11 (4-4)
Location: Merner Gym; Misenheimer, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs made just one of their first 12 shot attempts to start the game as the Falcons took an 11-3 lead. Trailing 19-7 soon after, Methodist cranked off a 9-0 run that began with two made free throws by a fouled Blake Lewis. Now fighting for the lead at 23-18, Lewis and Brone Brinson's back-to-back scores pulled the Monarchs to within one.
• A six-point swing in Pfeiffer's favor made the score 29-22. Derrion Hicklen dropped in a layup to break up the Falcons' run, recording Methodist's first basket after three and a half scoreless minutes. Down 33-26, Montell Moore recorded a 2-point basket that Lewis followed up with a 3-pointer to bring the Monarchs to within two. Pfeiffer sank two free throws to end the half up 35-31.
• Moore recorded the first bucket of the half – a two-point jumper – but the Falcons maintained their lead by answering every Methodist score with a score of their own. With 14:26 remaining, Pfeiffer held an eight-point advantage over Methodist. Brinson and Hicklen teamed up for two baskets in the paint, but the Falcons continued to have answers.
• As Brinson made a layup with 6:24 left to play, he was fouled and earned a shot from the free-throw line. His free throw tied the game for the first time all night at 58-58. Shortly thereafter, two free throws from De'Shaun Kee gave Methodist a two-point edge. The game would see the score tied three more times as each team intensely fought for the lead. With under two minutes to play, the Monarchs claimed the lead that would hold as Moore buried a jumper to put Methodist up by two. A final clutch basket by Moore in the closing minute gave the Monarchs a three-point lead which proved to be enough to get the job done.

MORE TO IT

• Montell Moore led the Monarchs with 16 points, followed by Hicklen (14), Lewis (12) and Brinson (10).
• The Monarchs shot over 51% from the floor in the second half (16-for-31).
• Methodist turned the ball over just seven times compared to Pfeiffer's 11 times.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs return home to host Mary Baldwin University on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the March F. Riddle Center.