ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. Excellent offensive numbers weren't enough for the Methodist men's basketball team Tuesday night as N.C. Wesleyan had an even more outstanding outing offensively. The Battling Bishops claimed a 96-74 win over the visiting Monarchs.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 96-74
Records: Methodist 1-21 (1-10 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 18-4 (10-1)
Location: Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- T.J. East got the game started off with a slam which sparked an 11-2 run for Methodist to take a sizeable early lead. Up 14-4, the Monarchs saw the Battling Bishops put together an 11-0 run, knocking down three shots from behind the arc along the way.
- As the teams exchanged leads, De'Shaun Kee drained a three to lift the Monarchs to a 17-15 advantage and another to give Methodist a 23-20 edge. A second 11-0 run for N.C. Wesleyan put Methodist down 31-23. Montell Moore sank a triple to bring the Monarchs to within five, but the Battling Bishops scored the last eight points of the half.
- N.C. Wesleyan's lead grew to 19 points before four straight Methodist baskets – capped off with a three from Kee – cut the difference to 10. The Battling Bishops did not back down, quickly surging back to a 16-point lead.
- A layup by Jeremy Mull brought the Monarchs to within 12 with 9:23 to go, but from there N.C. Wesleyan amped up the heat. The Battling Bishops increased their lead to as many as 25. Kee's fifth three on the night served as the last basket for both teams.
MORE TO IT
- De'Shaun Kee scored a career-high 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting (including 5-of-6 from deep).
- The Monarchs shot the ball well (45.6% from the field, 52.2% from three) but the Battling Bishops missed even less often (62.5% from the field, 61.1% from three).
- Montell Moore led the Monarchs with 22 points, his eighth-straight game with double-figure scoring.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs compete at Brevard College on Saturday for their final road game of the 2022-2023 season. Tip-off against the Tornados is set for 2 p.m.