February 29, 2008
Monarchs Fall to Averett in Overtime
Freshman LeuMichael Smith led Methodist with 17 points

NEWPORT NEWS, VA- The Monarchs got off to a quick start, but had to come from behind to tie the game and send the USA South Tournament semifinal into overtime against Averett University. Methodist led by as many as four in overtime, but lost 70-68 to the Cougars. The Monarchs finish the season 16-10 overall while Averett advances to the championship with a 12-15 record.

Both teams missed layups to start off before freshman LeuMichael Smith scored the first basket of the game for Methodist. With five and a half minutes played, Smith grabbed a steal and went in for the dunk to give the Monarchs a five point lead. Averett came back and led by 10 points with 1:24 to go in the half. Junior Antwin Shuford converted two free throws and junior A.B. Lehmann sank a 3-pointer to close the lead to five with a minute remaining. Smith grabbed a defensive rebound for Shuford to score a layup in the final seconds to move within three at halftime.

The second half started with Smith scoring two layups to give Methodist a one point lead. Methodist and Averett each exchanged baskets with neither team leading by more than four until Averett extended their lead to seven with 2:17 left in the game. Senior Billy McDade kept the Monarchs in contention with a jumper followed by two free throws to move within three with 1:18 to go. Averett was fouled and sent to the free throw line with a one-and-one opportunity, but missed the first for junior Travis McBryde to grab the rebound. Lehmann found McDade for the game-tying 3-pointer with 29 seconds left on the clock. Averett called a timeout and fed Jonathan Rumley for the last shot, but McBryde got a hand on it to send the game to overtime all tied up at 62.

Methodist took a four point lead early in the overtime period to give Methodist a 3-point lead, but Rumley hit two free throws to move within two points. Fouled again, Averett hit the second of two free throws to trail by one with 1:29 left in the period. Rumely gave Averett a one point lead on two free throws with 24 seconds on the clock. The Monarchs missed a layup and fouled. With Rumley missing both free throws, they had eight seconds to try to tie or win the game, but could not get another shot off with Averett taking the 70-68 win.

Smith led the team with 17 points while Shuford finished with 16 points and McDade added 14 points, all in the final 12 minutes of the game. Shuford led with nine rebounds and added four assists and three blocks.

Box score

USA South Basketball Tournament Website