FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Constructing another second-half comeback, the Methodist men's basketball team pulled itself out of an 18-point hole on Saturday afternoon before ultimately falling to Mary Baldwin University by three.
Celebrating Senior Day, the Monarchs honored seniors
Brian Bullock and
Tomas Stevens prior to the game.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Mary Baldwin def. Methodist, 70–67
Records: Methodist 10–12 (6–6 USA South), Mary Baldwin 11–11 (5–7 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mary Baldwin's DJ Via canned a three on his team's first possession of the afternoon, foreshadowing the impact his performance would have on the result of the game. After trailing 5–0, the Monarchs garnered a five-point advantage of their own following back-to-back baskets by
Tre' Williams and
O'Montae Daniels. Methodist held an edge for four and a half minutes before a 15–1 run by the Fighting Squirrels flipped the lead, 22–13 in favor of the visitors with seven minutes to go in the half. Mary Baldwin's lead grew to as many as 16 points before the Monarchs closed the period with consecutive makes by Stevens and Daniels to close the gap to 12.
Methodist conceded the first six points of the second half, now sitting 18 points behind. Exploding for a 21–4 scoring run, the Monarchs nearly erased their entire deficit across a five-minute span, finally tying the score at 50–50 on a Bullock three-pointer with nine and a half minutes to go. Via hit a pair of threes for the Fighting Squirrels as another surge gave them a nine-point advantage with just under three minutes to play, but
KJ Brooks and Bullock teamed up for an eight-point Methodist run in response, with Brooks going 4-for-4 at the line and Bullock going to work for a pair of buckets.
Mary Baldwin's layup with 24 seconds to go gave the Fighting Squirrels a three-point lead but afforded the Monarchs to take the last shot. With time winding down,
Deuce Rice hoisted up a three while absorbing some contact by a defender, but the shot came up short and no foul was called.
MORE TO IT
Bullock led the Monarchs with 16 points while Brooks logged 15 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Via had a terrific game for Mary Baldwin, making seven of 10 attempts from beyond the arc in his 24-point performance.
Methodist had a rough day at the free-throw line, going 14-for-23 (60.9%).
UP NEXT
The Monarchs play their final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when they take on North Carolina Wesleyan University at 7 p.m.
