FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  In a low-scoring contest against the Greensboro Pride on Saturday, the Methodist men's basketball team came up short of victory despite its best defensive efforts. The Monarchs conceded a season-low 53 points but were held to their own offensive low of 46 points.  

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Greensboro def. Methodist, 53-46
Records: Methodist 4-14 (2-6 USA South), Greensboro 9-10 (5-3 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Derrion Hicklen got the scoring started with a layup that gave Methodist its first lead of the day. From there, the Monarchs scored just one point over the next five minutes as the Pride slowly took a 7-3 lead. After two free throws by Hicklen, Methodist recaptured the lead following a successful layup and free throw by Zac Sledge that put the Monarchs up 8-7 with 13:25 left in the half.
• With just over 10 minutes to go in the period, Greensboro's Griffin Powell knocked down the first three-pointer by either side to give the Pride a 12-11 advantage. Greensboro's lead did not exceed four points until Isaiah Pruett sank another triple for the visitors with just over two minutes remaining in the half, giving them a 22-17 lead. Two free throws by Hicklen and a basket by Malek Ngong cut Methodist's deficit to one point, but the Pride scored another layup before the buzzer to take a three-point edge into the break.
• Five minutes into the second half, Greensboro's lead reached six points when Pruett drilled another three for the Pride. A pair of layups by Hicklen and Chance Minott brought Methodist back to within two (31-29) with 13:21 to play, but a 10-2 run in favor of Greensboro ensued, including two blocks by the Pride on back-to-back defensive possessions.
• Trailing 41-31 with under seven minutes remaining, the Monarchs produced their own run of seven-straight points to pull back within three, but the effort was answered by eight-straight points for the Pride, bringing the difference to 11 points – the largest of the match.
• With under three minute to play, Methodist made one final push, scoring eight-straight points to make the score 49-46 with 48 seconds left on the clock. Following a timeout, the Monarchs proceeded to foul early, putting Pruett on the line. He sank both attempts, then sank two more after another Methodist foul, icing the game.

 
MORE TO IT

• Leading the Monarchs offensively with a game-high 18 points, Derrion Hicklen also showed great energy on defense, snagging a career-high five steals.
• Greensboro found defensive success in the air, leaping up for a season-high seven blocks as a team.
• Methodist attempted a season-low four three-pointers (making none) while the Pride went 4-for-15 from beyond the arc.  

 
UP NEXT
The Monarchs will stay in Fayetteville for their next game, hosting Pfeiffer on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.