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Malek Ngong free throw
Brianne Coleman
68
Winner N.C. Wesleyan NCWU 13-9, 7-4 USA So
64
Methodist MUMBK 4-17, 2-9 USA So
Winner
N.C. Wesleyan NCWU
13-9, 7-4 USA So
68
Final
64
Methodist MUMBK
4-17, 2-9 USA So
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
N.C. Wesleyan NCWU 35 33 68
Methodist MUMBK 40 24 64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Matthew Shealy

Monarchs Fall Short After 40-Point First Half

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Following an impressive first half for the Methodist men's basketball team on Tuesday night, the Monarchs struggled to reproduce their offensive success in the second half, ultimately coming up shy of North Carolina Wesleyan in a 68-64 loss to the Battling Bishops.
 
Methodist's 40 first-half points were the most the Monarchs have scored in the first period all season.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: North Carolina Wesleyan def. Methodist, 68-64
Records: Methodist 4-17 (2-9 USA South), North Carolina Wesleyan 13-9 (7-4 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Methodist started off hot with Chance Minott driving through the lane for the first basket of the game and a free throw following his and-one opportunity. Zac Sledge scored a layup on Methodist's second offensive possession, then the next time down the court, Malek Ngong fought through contact to sink his first layup of the contest, making the score 7-3 in favor of the Monarchs.
  • Applying a pesky press as the Battling Bishops brought the ball up the court, Brone Brinson recorded Methodist's third steal of the game, leading to a Derrion Hicklen layup in transition seconds later to put Methodist ahead 11-5 with 15:23 to go in the first half. The Monarchs were soon the first to reach the 20-point threshold after three straight layups went in favor of Methodist, giving the team a nine-point advantage.
  • Inside the final four minutes of the first period, N.C. Wesleyan scored three straight baskets to reduce its deficit to one point. In response, the Monarchs scored the next eight points – six of which came off the hand of Hicklen, who knocked down two three-pointers. With Methodist up by nine, the Battling Bishops closed the first half with four successful free throws.
  • N.C. Wesleyan opened the second half with a 9-0 run, taking the lead while holding Methodist scoreless for nearly four minutes. With 12 minutes left, a jumper by Ngong tied the score at 50-50. The Battling Bishops regained control of the lead with seven consecutive points, but the Monarchs answered with a 12-4 scoring run to capture a one-point edge (62-61) with just under four minutes remaining in the game. In the closing minutes, Methodist was outscored 7-2, adding just a pair of Ngong free throws to the total.
 
MORE TO IT
  • Malek Ngong had a career night, tying N.C. Wesleyan's Justin Burden for the game high with 18 points – the best in his MU career.
  • 24 points in the second half ties for the fewest points the Monarchs have scored in the second period all season. It's the third time in which Methodist has been held to 24 second-half points.
  • For the first time this season, Methodist held its opponent to zero made three-pointers. However, despite N.C. Wesleyan's zone defense, the Monarchs struggled to hit from deep too, shooting 4-for-27 from three-point land.
 
UP NEXT
The Monarchs play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Brevard Tornados come to town.
 
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