February 4, 2006
Major milestone accomplished as Monarchs knock off Ferrum 67-57
Smith becomes second head coach in Methodist history to reach 100 career victories

FERRUM, Va. – The moment has been a long time coming for Methodist Monarch men’s head basketball David Smith, and Saturday, it happened. Smith reached his 100th career victory at Methodist as the Monarchs prevailed 67-57 at Ferrum in a key USA South Athletic Conference game. The victory is the second straight for Methodist, which improves to 6-14 overall and an even 4-4 in the USA South.

Smith, who is now 100-80 in his seventh season at Methodist, becomes the second head coach in the history of Methodist men’s basketball to reach 100 career victories. The milestones won’t stop here, however. The next Methodist victory will tie Smith for first place all-time at Methodist with his mentor, Joe Miller (1976-1987).

Methodist trailed by a point at halftime and by five points early in the second half. However, the Monarchs went on a 14-0 run over five minutes to take a nine-point lead.

Dragan Radmanovic ignited the rally with a 3-point basket, and then another 3-point basket by Eugene Grant gave the Monarchs the lead to stay, 41-39 at the 13:47 mark. After Grant followed with another 3-point basket, Robert Lee’s lay-up made the Methodist lead 48-39 with 11:36 remaining.

The Monarchs threatened to blow the game open, increasing its lead to as much as 19 points. Radmanovic and Lee connected on consecutive 3-point baskets, and a Travis McBryde lay-up with 6:31 remaining made the Monarch lead 62-43.

However, as in other games this season, Methodist had to fight off a late-game rally. Ferrum cut the Methodist lead to eight points as Trey Ray converted a 3-point play with 4:30 remaining, and Rob Fuller’s lay-up at the 3:07 mark sliced the Monarch lead to 63-55.

The Panthers had a chance to cut into the deficit even more, but committed a turnover on their ensuing possession. Methodist cashed in on the miscue as Lee drained a 3-point basket to make the Monarch lead 66-55 with 2:14 remaining.

Radmanovic scored 16 points to pace Methodist on 7-for-12 shooting from the field. Lee scored 12 points, followed by Thomas and McBryde each with 11 points. Antwin Shuford grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for Methodist.

For Ferrum (5-16, 1-7), Ray and Cedric Jones each scored 13 points, followed by Quinton Chilton with 10 points.

Methodist travels on Tuesday to Averett for a key USA South showdown at 7:30 p.m.