FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University men's basketball could not overcome the excellent first-half shooting of Brevard College on Saturday afternoon as the Monarchs suffered an 88–66 USA South loss to the Tornados in the March F. Riddle Center.

Before the contest, Methodist honored its 2025 senior class, which included Chance Minott, Zac Sledge, and Jeremy Mull.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Brevard def. Methodist, 88–66
Records: Methodist 6–14 (2-7 USA South), Brevard 11–9 (6-5)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the game tied at six all, five minutes in, Derrion Hicklen registered four straight points to put Methodist up by four. A 6-0 run by Brevard gave the visitors a 12-10 edge until Tomas Stevens and Brian Bullock combined for the next seven Monarch points, putting Methodist back in front by three, 17-14.
• For the next three and a half minutes, the Tornados did not miss any shots as they registered a made field goal on six straight offensive possessions and outscored the Monarchs 15-1 during that span. David McCallum Jr. was able to get Methodist back within six, 30-24, after he drained a pair of three-pointers, but then, Brevard returned the favor as Charlie Hester, Twain Wilson, and Carson Evans each knocked down a triple themselves in the last four minutes of the first half, sending the Tornados into halftime with a 45-28 lead.
• Brevard continued where it left off to begin the second half as the Tornados went on a 12-2 run to take a 27-point lead in the first three minutes. For the remainder of the half, the Monarchs did everything in their power to get back into this game, but for each shot Methodist made, Brevard matched it, preventing the Monarchs from chipping away the score.

MORE TO IT

• Leading the way for Methodist was Derrion Hicklen, who had a game-high 17 points. Hicklen was also one of four Monarchs to reach double figures as Ke Edwards (12), Minott (11), and McCallum Jr. (10) each recorded ten or more.
• Brevard shot 60.0% from the field compared to Methodist's 36.5%.
• The Monarchs edged out the Tornados in the rebound battle by one, 33 to 32. Edwards led all players with eight boards himself.

UP NEXT
Methodist plays its final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, February 12, with the Monarchs hosting Pfeiffer University in another USA South matchup. The opening tip is scheduled for 5:30 PM.