FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Hosting the Falcons of Pfeiffer University, the Methodist men's basketball team started out strong on the home court Wednesday evening, keeping pace all the way to a 30-30 tie. After suffering a scoring drought at the end of the first half, the Monarchs were faced with a deficit that proved to be too large to overcome.  

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Pfeiffer def. Methodist, 91-73
Records: Methodist 4-15 (2-7 USA South), Pfeiffer 8-8 (5-3 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With all hands on deck, the Monarchs secured an early 6-5 lead as Derrion Hicklen sank a pair of free throws and Chance Minott and Ron Jones each scored a basket. The next seven points belonged to Pfeiffer, with Ty Black knocking down his second three-pointer of the game to make the score 12-6 just over three minutes into the game. Not falling behind by more than two possessions, the Monarchs kept their heads level and exchanged leads with the Falcons numerous times over the next nine minutes.
• With a little more than seven minutes remaining in the half, the score reached its sixth tie of the game when Hicklen, scrambling to get a shot off before the time on the shot clock expired, heaved up a shot from behind the arc that found its way through the hoop. The basket brought the score to 30-30 with 7:07 to go in the period.
• With the remaining time, Pfeiffer produced a 21-2 run to close out the half, building a 19-point advantage over Methodist. The Monarchs went 1-for-10 during that stretch – including 0-for-5 from deep – while the Falcons made eight of their final 12 attempts from the floor.
• Early in the second half, Hicklen pieced together a 7-0 run for the Monarchs (with three layups and a free throw) that cut the difference to 15 points with 15 minutes remaining. Soon after, Methodist's Zac Sledge reduced Pfeiffer's advantage to 12 points (65-53 with 11:21 to go). The Monarchs would come no closer, as the Falcons scored 10 straight points to put a comfortable distance between themselves and Methodist.

 
MORE TO IT

• Derrion Hicklen dropped a game-high 25 points, complemented by Zac Sledge, who had 12 points to go along with seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals.
• Pfeiffer showed off its depth, with 13 players seeing the court – 12 of which scored. The Falcons had 43 points attributed to their bench players, while the Monarchs produced just 13 bench points.

 
UP NEXT
The Monarchs make the drive to Staunton, Virginia on Saturday to take on the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels at 2 p.m.