January 13, 2007
Monarchs Snap Five-Game Losing Streak With 78-73 Win
Methodist overcomes second half 18-point deficit to defeat Ferrum

 

FERRUM, VA-  Twenty-six days ago, the Methodist men's basketball team won the Randolph-Macon Tournament with a championship win over Gettysburg.  The team took a break for the holidays and returned to lose the next five.  It looked like Ferrum could be the sixth consecutive loss when the Monarchs were down by 18 in the second half, but the team turned it around to snap the streak and win their first conference game this season.  The Monarchs improve to 5-7 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while Ferrum falls to 6-9 overall and 0-2 in the USA South.

During the first ten minutes of the first half, the teams kept it close with Methodist gaining a 13-12 lead on a layup by freshman Tyler Sigman.  Ferrum responded with a 15-3 run to take an eleven point lead.  Both teams scored in the final minutes of the first half, but Panther Jon Wilson capped off the scoring with a dunk to go up 37-23 at halftime.

Ferrum extended their lead to 18 to start the second half before the Monarchs began to turn the tide.  Sophomore Antwin Shuford started the run with a layup and slowly chipped away at the lead.  Methodist held Ferrum to one shot and out as they continued to pull down the rebounds.  A layup by senior Dragan Radmanovic closed the gap to two points before sophomore AB Lehmann stole the ball and was fouled.  Lehmann tied the game as he sank both free throws.  Radmanovic grabbed the rebound on a missed Panther layup and junior Travis Winstead hit a big 3-pointer to take the 57-54 lead with 5:18 left in the game.  Ferrum would tie the game twice more, but the Monarchs took the lead for good on a layup by Shuford with 2:17 to go. 

Panther Rob Fuller hit a 3-pointer with 8 seconds remaining to move within two, but Ferrum was forced to foul and the Monarchs went 3-for-4 from the free throw line to close out the game and take the 78-73 win.

Lehmann finished the game with six rebounds, five assists, and 25 points including four 3-pointers.  Radmanovic was just short of a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds while freshman Adrian Bascom and senior Brandon Williams had 13 points a piece.  The Monarchs scored 55 points during the second half shooting 16-for-24 for 66.7 percent.  They outrebounded the Panthers 37-26 in the win.

The Monarchs return to Fayetteville to host the Piedmont Lions on Sunday at 2 pm.

Box Score