LAGRANGE, Ga. In a thrilling overtime contest to open the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Tournament on Wednesday afternoon, the Methodist men's basketball team outlasted Huntingdon College, 93–91, inside Mariotti Gymnasium.
After a back-and-forth battle that featured 14 ties and 18 lead changes, the Monarchs made the decisive plays in the final seconds of overtime to earn their fourth win of the season.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Huntingdon, 93–91 (OT)
Records: Methodist 4–5, Huntingdon 5–5
Location: Mariotti Gymnasium; LaGrange, Georgia
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist set the tone early, scoring the game's first basket on a Mike Fee jumper, but the opening minutes featured plenty of back-and-forth action as neither team could create separation. After Huntingdon briefly grabbed a one-point edge, the Monarchs responded with strong interior play and second-chance opportunities to build a small lead. Tomas Stevens provided an early spark off the bench, while KJ Brooks and Tre' Williams helped Methodist stay in front through the midpoint of the half.
- Midway through the period, Huntingdon found its rhythm from the perimeter, using a pair of three-pointers to momentarily swing the momentum. Methodist answered by attacking the paint and moving the ball effectively, closing the half on a steady run to carry a 35–32 advantage into the locker room.
- The second half opened with both teams trading baskets, but Huntingdon surged midway through the period, pushing its lead to as many as 15 behind efficient shooting and multiple second-chance points. The Monarchs refused to fade, however, mounting a response with stops on the defensive end and timely buckets from Stevens, Brian Bullock, and Deuce Rice to slowly chip away at the deficit.
- With under four minutes remaining, Methodist made its biggest push, using an 8–0 run to cut the margin to two possessions. Rice knocked down a clutch three, and Brooks finished at the rim to keep the Monarchs within striking distance. Down the stretch, Williams delivered in the biggest moments, hitting a three-pointer in the final seconds to tie the game at 85–85 and force overtime.
- In the extra period, defense and execution proved decisive. Williams scored five of Methodist's eight overtime points, including a go-ahead layup and the eventual game-winning jumper with 14 seconds remaining. Strong defensive rebounds by O'Montae Daniels sealed the victory, as the Monarchs held off Huntingdon in the closing seconds to secure the 93–91 overtime win.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Williams led all Monarchs with 19 points, adding five assists and three rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
- Brooks followed with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Stevens, who came off the bench, also scored 16 points, a season high.
- Securing the most boards for Methodist was O'Montae Daniels, who recorded a career-high 11 rebounds.
- The Monarchs get their first overtime victory since the 2017-18 season, defeating N.C. Wesleyan 98–91.
- Methodist scored 90 or more points in a game for the first time since the spring 2021 season.
UP NEXT
Methodist continues play in the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Tournament on Thursday, facing host LaGrange College to close out the two-day event. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.
