FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Despite a strong second half showing during Friday night's game, the Methodist men's basketball team came up one basket short of forcing overtime against Randolph College. The Monarchs fell 67–64 after having led by as many as eight points against the Wildcats.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Randolph def. Methodist, 67–64
Records: Methodist 1-2, Randolph 2-0
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a big night for Ke Edwards, who put the Monarchs ahead 11–6 after making a layup followed up a putback tip–in off a miss by Tomas Stevens. A few minutes later, Edwards drilled a three–pointer to put Methodist up 18–13.
• With just over six minutes remaining in the half, it was Edwards who earned a steal and quickly took the ball to the hoop for an authoritative slam dunk, tying the score at 24–24 and energizing the home crowd. However, the Wildcats claimed 13 out of the final 15 points to end the first half, taking an 11–point advantage into the break.
• Caleb Barreto scored a layup on the first possession of the second half, and then the Monarchs got a defensive stop on the other end of the floor. Barreto's basket ignited a 16–3 run in favor of the Monarchs, which included seven points by Brian Bullock, allowing Methodist to go ahead by two (44–42). The Wildcats tied the score at 46–46, but carrying some momentum still, the Monarchs put together an 8–point run with baskets by Edwards, Zac Sledge, Stevens and Greg Ehlinger.
• With 2:22 left to play, the Wildcats recaptured the lead for the first time in over 14 game minutes, sinking two free throws to go up 63–62. A layup by Ehlinger on the other end put Methodist back on top, but the Monarchs proceeded to commit another foul, putting another Randolph player at the line, which led to two points. A missed layup for Methodist gave the Wildcats the ball, and they successfully scored a two–point jumper to extend their lead, making the score 67–64.
• Down by three with less than 30 seconds to play, the Monarchs looked inside to Ehlinger, whose soft touch hit the front of the rim but refused to go in. Methodist was forced to foul a Wildcat with 17 seconds left, and the Monarchs saw new life after that player missed both attempts at the line. Bringing the ball up the court following a timeout, Chance Minott stopped his dribble and elected to shoot for two, missing off the backboard. The ball deflected off a Randolph player out of bounds with less than three seconds remaining. With one final chance, Barreto inbounded to Stevens, whose three–point prayer was off the mark.

MORE TO IT

• While shooting 80% on free throws, the Monarchs earned just 10 attempts from the charity stripe compared to 26 tries for Randolph. Fouls began to add up for Methodist, leading to Brian Bullock — who was the team's second leading scorer on the night — being disqualified with 2:22 left in the game.
• The Monarchs played an impressive second half, shooting nearly 49% from the floor (an improvement over their 31.25% in the first half).
• Ke Edwards, in his first outing as a Monarch, recorded a double–double. The wingman scored 21 points (shooting 10–for–17) and collected 10 rebounds (including six on the offensive end).
• Methodist was without top guards Derrion Hicklen and Ron Jones. 

UP NEXT
Methodist is back at home on Wednesday, Nov. 20 when the Monarchs host Regent University for a 7 p.m. tipoff.