FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. A perfectly timed block by
Brian Bullock and a clutch make at the free-throw line by
Dontavious Pettaway helped the Methodist men's basketball team secure a win against the reigning USA South champions on Tuesday evening. What transpired in the final 30 seconds was simply the cherry on top of a thrilling showdown between the Monarchs and the Pfeiffer University Falcons that ended in a one-point victory for the home team.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Pfeiffer, 74–73
Records: Methodist 5–7 (1–1 USA South), Pfeiffer 4–8 (0–2 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons found life beyond the three-point line early with Clayton Robinson knocking down the first basket of the game. Methodist scored the next seven points, but Robinson answered with not one, but two more triples to give his team a 9–7 advantage before Zach Sloan extended Pfeiffer's lead to four points. The Monarchs countered with a three-pointer from
Tre' Williams (his second of the game) and a bucket by Pettaway to retake the lead.
With
KJ Brooks heating up, the Monarchs pulled ahead by five, then made the score 22-15 after a
Deuce Rice steal led to a two-handed slam in transition for Pettaway. With Methodist up 26–18, a two-point jumper off the hand of
Tomas Stevens was followed by back-to-back scores from Brooks, who stretched his team's lead to 14 with six minutes left in the first half. The Falcons finished out the period on a 16–8 run, slicing their deficit down to just two points before
Sean O'Connor and Williams each scored inside the final minute to preserve a six-point lead for Methodist.
The Falcons looked like world beaters to start the second half, scoring 11 unanswered points in the first four minutes before Brooks sank a shot from deep to stop the bleed. A three-pointer by Williams just a minute later ignited a 12–2 run in favor of the Monarchs, who reclaimed a narrow lead, which they held on to until inside of 10 minutes remaining in the half. Another three by Robinson is what it took to put the Falcons back in front, as he cashed in with 9:38 to go and put his team up 59–57. Pfeiffer stayed in front by no more than five but did not relinquish the lead until there was 4:10 left on the clock, when Brooks connected on his second three of the game (on just his second attempt from range) to tie the game at 70–70.
Pfeiffer scored the next three points — a free throw and a layup — to which Methodist answered with another three–pointer, this time rolling off the fingertips of
O'Montae Daniels. Defenses stood tall as offenses struggled inside the final two minutes. A turnover by the Monarchs gave Pfeiffer possession out of bounds with 21 seconds remaining, for which they called a timeout to draw up a play. Driving to the basket with eight seconds to go, Pfeiffer's Sean Sucarichi was greeted by Bullock, who swatted the ball out of the air and collected if after one bounce on the hardwood. As he dribbled up the right side of the court, Bullock made it to Methodist's three-point line before passing to Pettaway inside the paint.
A whistle blew as Pettaway was fouled on a layup attempt, earning a trip to the line for two free-throw attempts and a chance to break the 73–73 deadlock with 1.4 seconds showing on the game clock. His first attempt hit the front of the rim before taking a friendly roll into the hoop. Before his second shot, Pfeiffer elected to use its final timeout. Pettaway's second attempt was no good, but despite securing the rebound, the Falcons failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.
MORE TO IT
Williams found his stroke, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-7 from behind the arc. He contributed to the team's seven three-pointers on the night, which were Methodist's second-most in a game this season.
Brooks led the team with 20 points, which is his average across the last three contests, and he produced a team-high seven rebounds as well.
Eight points highlighted a season high for Daniels, who continued to contribute across the board with five rebounds and team highs of four assists and four steals.
Tuesday's victory marks the first time this season the Monarchs have won despite having fewer rebounds and more turnovers. Pfeiffer outrebounded Methodist 39 to 32 while committing 12 turnovers to Methodist's 14. The win is also Methodist's first against Pfeiffer since the 2022–2023 season, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Falcons.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs look to keep the good vibes going at home on Saturday when they host Brevard College for a 4:30 p.m. tipoff following the conclusion of the women's game between Methodist and Salem (which begins at 2 p.m.).
