July 5, 2006
Eugene Grant represents Methodist and the USA in collegiate all-star games in Barbados
2006 Methodist graduate selected among nations elite
FAYETTEVILLE, NC– Recent Methodist graduate and men's basketball player Eugene Grant represented Methodist and the USA last month in international competition in Barbados.Grant was nominated by other college coaches for selection on the team sponsored by a non-profit organization called USA Athletes International. release 

February 24, 2006
Monarchs come up short against Averett 67-64 in USA South men’s semifinals
Lee scores 17 points off the bench as Methodist concludes season 10-17
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The 2005-06 season came to a tough conclusion for the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team on Friday as they dropped a 67-64 decision against Averett in the semifinals of the 2006 USA South Athletic Conference Tournament at Christopher Newport’s Freeman Center. The Monarchs finish the season 10-17 overall. Robert Lee paced Methodist with 17 points off the bench. release

 

February 22, 2006
Monarchs place two on All-USA South team for men’s basketball
Thomas selected first team, Grant selected second team
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist Monarchs placed two players on the 2005-06 All-USA South Athletic Conference team for men’s basketball on Wednesday. Guard Seth Thomas was selected first team All-USA South, while guard Eugene Grant was selected second team All-USA South, as voted on by the conference head coaches. Thomas was selected first team All-USA South for a second straight season, while Grant moved up a spot after being selected honorable mention All-USA South last season. release
 

 

February 21, 2006
Monarchs down Ferrum 68-56, face Averett in USA South Semifinals
Thomas scores 16 points, McEvoy 13 points as Monarchs advance
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The end of a season is the time to be playing your best basketball, and the Methodist Monarchs are doing just that. Fresh off concluding the 2005-06 regular season with three straight victories, the Monarchs made it four straight on Tuesday with a 68-56 victory over visiting Ferrum in the quarterfinals of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. Methodist, which improves to 10-16 overall, will now face Averett in the USA South Semifinals on Friday at 2 p.m. at Christopher Newport’s Freeman Center. release
 

February 18, 2006
Seniors shine as Monarchs stun Christopher Newport 89-77
Thomas records second straight double-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – It was Senior Day for the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team on Saturday, and the seniors shined as the Monarchs knocked off USA South Athletic Conference rival Christopher Newport 89-77 at the Riddle Center. The victory was the third straight for Methodist, which closed out its regular season 9-16 overall, but 7-5 in the USA South. Methodist has now won three times in the last four games against Christopher Newport in the Riddle Center. The victory clinches Methodist the third seed in next week’s USA South Athletic Conference, and the two-time defending tournament champion Monarchs will play host to Ferrum on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals. release

 

February 17, 2006
Smith sets victory mark as Monarchs down Shenandoah 56-41
Grant, Lee each score 12 points in Methodist victory
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – David Smith became the all-time winningest head coach in Methodist Monarch men’s basketball on Friday night as the Monarchs knocked off pesky Shenandoah 56-41 at the Riddle Center in USA South Athletic Conference action. Smith recorded his 102nd career victory at Methodist, moving him past his mentor, Joe Miller into first place all-time in men’s basketball at Methodist. The victory was the second straight for Methodist, which improved to 8-16 overall and 6-5 in the USA South. In addition, the Monarchs have now won 13 straight games against Shenandoah at the Riddle Center. release

 

February 13, 2006
More milestones as Monarchs win 75-72 thriller at North Carolina Wesleyan
Thomas eclipses 1,000 career points; Smith ties mark for career victories at Methodist
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Monday night was another edition in the long, distinguished men’s basketball rivalry between Methodist and North Carolina Wesleyan. And like last month at the Riddle Center, it was the visiting team that prevailed as Methodist rallied late for a thrilling 75-72 victory at Everett Gymnasium. Two milestones were accomplished for the Monarchs. First, senior guard Seth Thomas scored 14 points and became the 18th player in the history of men’s basketball at Methodist to eclipse 1,000 career points. Second, head coach David Smith garnered his 101st career victory at Methodist, tying him with his mentor Joe Miller (1976-1987) for first place all-time in Monarch men’s basketball. release
 

February 11, 2006
Monarchs fall in 110-100 shootout at Piedmont
Thomas records double-double 32 points, 12 rebounds in Methodist defeat
DEMOREST, Ga. – There was no shortage of offense to go around in Saturday’s non-conference showdown between Methodist and Piedmont at Piedmont’s Johnny Mize Center. However, Methodist came up on the short end of the “Track Meet”, dropping a 110-100 thriller to Piedmont. Methodist falls to 6-16 overall on the season.
The defeat offset a sterling game by Methodist’s Seth Thomas. The 6-foot-4 senior wing recorded a double-double with a game-high 32 points and 13 rebounds on 12-for-17 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range. release

 

February 9, 2006
Monarchs’ Grant selected second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District
Methodist senior honored amongst candidates from five states
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) announced the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams for men’s basketball on Thursday, and the Methodist Monarchs were represented in District 3. Senior Eugene Grant was selected to the second team All-District team of the College Division. District 3 consists of all the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA programs in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina Georgia and Florida. All candidates had to have a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average, had a least one year of eligibility at the current institution and played in at least 50 percent of the games this season. release
 

February 7, 2006
Monarchs’ two-game winning streak stopped in 76-65 defeat at Averett
Thomas scores 18 points as Methodist is now 4-5 in USA South
DANVILLE, Va. – The Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team was aiming for its first three-game winning streak of the season and tie head coach David Smith for first place all-time on the victory list for Methodist men’s basketball. However, those hopes were snapped on Tuesday as the Monarchs dropped a 76-65 decision at Averett. The defeat drops Methodist to 6-15 overall and 4-5 in the USA South Athletic Conference. Seth Thomas scored 18 points to pace the Monarchs. release
 

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. release

 

 

February 1, 2006
Monarchs win 67-65 thriller on Lee’s 3-point basket
Thomas scores 14 points as Methodist ends five-game losing skid
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Better known for his strong play on the road, Robert Lee hasn’t made too many clutch baskets for the Methodist Monarchs in the friendly confines of the Riddle Center. However, he hit arguably the biggest shot of his Monarch career on Wednesday with a 3-point basket with five seconds remaining to propel Methodist to a 67-65 USA South Athletic Conference victory over visiting Greensboro. The victory ends a five-game losing streak for Methodist, now 5-14 overall and 3-4 in the USA South. In addition, Monarch head coach David Smith is now one victory away from reaching the 100th of his career. Seth Thomas paced Methodist offensively with 14 points. release

 

January 29, 2006
Late-game errors hurt Methodist in 75-72 defeat at Shenandoah
Lee paces Methodist with 16 points in USA South road defeat
WINCHESTER, Va. – The Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team concluded the first half of its USA South Athletic Conference with another disappointment on Sunday – a 75-72 defeat at Shenandoah. The defeat, the fifth straight for the Monarchs, drops Methodist to 4-14 overall and 2-4 in the USA South. Robert Lee paced the Monarchs with 16 points in the defeat. release

 

January 28, 2006
Second half explosion carries Christopher Newport past Methodist 81-63
Grant scores 12 points as Monarchs drop USA South road contest
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – With the first half of the USA South Athletic Conference schedule concluding this weekend, a victory at rival Christopher Newport was a key for the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team. However, the host Captains used a sizzlin’ second half and pulled away from Methodist 81-63 on Saturday at the Freeman Center. The defeat, the fourth straight for Methodist, drops the Monarchs to 4-13 overall and 2-3 in the USA South. Eugene Grant paced Methodist with 12 points. release
 

January 23, 2006
Grant reaches milestone, but Monarchs fall 86-76 against North Carolina Wesleyan
Senior guard becomes 17th player in Methodist history to reach 1,000 career points
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – It was a milestone evening for Eugene Grant, but not enough for Methodist Monarch men’s basketball in the end against rival North Carolina Wesleyan on Monday. Grant, a senior guard scored 24 points and eclipsed 1,000 career points, but the visiting Bishops took control in the waning moments to prevail 86-76 on at the Riddle Center. Grant entered the game needing only one point to reach the milestone, and now has 1,023 career points. He’s the 17th player in Methodist history to reach 1,000 points in his career. The Monarchs, meanwhile, fall to 4-12 overall and 2-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference. release
 

January 21, 2006
Monarchs fall 91-51 at non-conference rival Maryville
McDonald scores career-high 19 points as Methodist drops region contest
MARYVILLE, Tenn. – What could have been a preview of a postseason showdown didn’t turn out that way for the Methodist Monarchs as they dropped a 91-51 rout at region rival Maryville on Saturday at the Cooper Center. The non-conference defeat drops Methodist to 4-11 overall. Freshman guard Fred McDonald scored a career-high 19 points to pace Methodist. release
 

 

January 17, 2006
Monarchs drop tough 72-69 overtime shootout against Averett
Thomas records second straight double-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – With first place on the line in the USA South Athletic Conference, Tuesday’s showdown between Averett and Methodist proved to be epic. However, the Monarchs came up on the short end of this classic, falling 72-69 in overtime against Averett at the Riddle Center. Methodist falls to 2-1 in the USA South and 4-10 overall. Seth Thomas recorded his second straight double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. release

 

January 16, 2006
Monarchs’ Lee selected USA South Player of the Week
Junior guard becomes first Monarch to receive weekly conference honor this season
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – For the first time this season, the Methodist Monarchs received a weekly honor for men’s basketball for the USA South Athletic Conference. Guard Robert Lee was honored on Monday as the USA South Player of the Week. Lee, a 6-foot junior from Spring Lake, N.C., had two tremendous games last week as Methodist opened USA South play with two victories. release

 

January 14, 2006
Two straight! Monarchs put it together in 78-64 victory over Ferrum
Thomas records double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds for Methodist
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist Monarch men’s basketball appears to be coming together at the time when it counts the most – conference play. After opening its USA South Athletic Conference slate with a victory at Greensboro on Wednesday, the Monarchs made it two straight victories on Saturday with a 78-64 victory over visiting Ferrum at the Riddle Center. Seth Thomas recorded his first double-double on the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. release
 

January 11, 2006
Skid ends! Monarchs withstand furious Greensboro rally to win conference opener
Radmanovic paces four Methodist players in double-figures with 15 points
GREENSBORO, N.C. – New life was injected into the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team on Wednesday as the Monarchs opened the USA South Athletic Conference play with a thrilling 72-68 victory at Greensboro. Not only did the Monarchs open conference play on a winning note, they also ended a frustrating seven-game losing streak in the process. Forward Dragan Radmanovic paced four Methodist players in double-figures with 15 points. release

 

 

January 8, 2006
Piedmont pulls away from late Methodist charge, 86-73
Grant, Shuford each score 14 as Monarchs drop home showdown
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – With the conference section of the 2005-06 season on the horizon, the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team look to get back into the victory column on Sunday against visiting Piedmont. However, the visiting Lions jumped out early and withstood a late Methodist rally to prevail 86-73 at the Riddle Center. The defeat drops Methodist to 2-9 overall. Eugene Grant and Antwin Shuford each scored 14 points for the Monarchs. release
 

 

January 2 2006
Late rally lifts Virginia Wesleyan past Methodist 77-68
Lee scores season-high 24 points on 6-for-6 shooting from 3-point range
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The New Year did mark a victorious beginning for the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team, but showed plenty of promise for the Monarchs in a 77-68 defeat at Virginia Wesleyan on Monday at the Batten Center. The defeat drops Methodist to 2-8 overall in its continuous murderous pre-conference schedule. Methodist suffered the tough defeat despite arguably its best shooting performance on the season. The Monarchs shot an impressive 55 percent from the field for the game, including a whopping 69 percent (9-for-13) from 3-point range. Junior guard Robert Lee had a big impact on that percentage, scoring a season-high 24 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range. release

 

December 17, 2005
Monarchs drop 70-55 decision at nationally-ranked Mobile
Grant scores 16 in Methodist defeat
MOBILE, Ala. – The Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team finished up its two-game swing on the Alabama Gulf Coast with a 70-55 defeat at NAIA nationally-ranked Mobile on Saturday. The defeat is the fifth straight for the Monarchs and Methodist falls to 2-7 overall on the season. Eugene Grant paced Methodist in scoring for a second straight game, this time with 16 points. release

 

December 16, 2005
Spring Hill fends off furious Methodist rally, 80-72
Grant scores season-high 18 in Monarch defeat
MOBILE, Ala. – Making a rare trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast, the Methodist Monarchs put up a furious rally on Friday night at NAIA program Spring Hill. However, the host Badgers held off the late Monarch charge and defeated Methodist 80-72 at the Outlaw Center. The defeat was the fourth straight for Methodist, which slipped to 2-6 overall on the season. The key difference was the perimeter game, where Spring Hill was hitting on nearly all cylinders. The Badgers connected on 11-for-19 for the game for 58 percent from 3-point range. Eugene Grant paced Methodist with a season-high 18 points. release

 

December 6, 2005
Voorhees pressure too much for Methodist in 67-59 defeat
Radmanovic scores 17 in Monarch defeat
DENMARK, S.C. – The tough luck continued for the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team on Tuesday as they dropped a 67-59 decision at Voorhees. The setback drops Methodist to 2-5 overall with its third straight defeat. Methodist had difficulty against Voorhees’ changing zones. The Tigers kept switching from a 2-3 to a 1-3-1 and back again, confusing the Monarchs on the perimeter. As a result, Methodist shot only 34 percent from the field, including only 30 percent from the field. Dragan Radmanovic paced Methodist with 17 points, followed by Seth Thomas with 14 points. release

 

December 4, 2005
Late rally propels Maryville past Methodist in 69-61 thriller
McEvoy, Lee each score nine points in Monarch defeat
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Playing its 2005-06 home opener on Sunday, the Methodist Monarchs aimed to hand visiting Maryville its first defeat of the season. However, the Scots made some key plays down the stretch to knock off Methodist 69-61 at the Riddle Center. The defeat dropped Methodist to 2-4 overall. The rematch of last season’s NCAA Division III National Tournament first round game was arguably the best defensive game by Methodist since its opener against Maritime State. Methodist out-rebounded Maryville 45-40 and had a whopping 11 blocked shots, including five by center Michael McEvoy. release

 

December 1, 2005
Monarchs’ valiant effort comes up short in defeat against NCAA Division I Appalachian State
Grant, McBryde, McDonald each score 11 points in Methodist’s 87-69 defeat
BOONE, N.C. – Rarely do teams look at defeats with a positive, but the Methodist Monarchs can certainly look at many positives after Thursday night’s tangle at NCAA Division I Appalachian State.
Methodist was stayed within striking distance throughout the contest at the Holmes Center, but the homestanding Mountaineers had too much firepower in winning 87-69. The defeat drops Methodist to 2-3 overall. release

 

 

November 27, 2005
Monarchs recover, knock off Thomas More 82-72
Williams scores career-high 21 points in Methodist victory
EMORY, Va. – The potential has been unlimited for Brandon Williams in his young career with the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team. On Sunday in the consolation game of the Emory & Henry Invitational, Williams started living up to that potential. The junior forward from Gainesville, Fla., scored a career-high 21 points as Methodist knocked off Thomas More 82-72 at Emory & Henry’s King Center. The victory improves Methodist to an even 2-2 on the 2005-06 season. release
 

November 26, 2005
Third-ranked Wooster starts fast, downs Monarchs 77-63
Moore scores career-high 16 points as Methodist falls at Emory & Henry Invitational
EMORY, Va. – Aiming to make an early statement nationally in the 2005-06, the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team dropped a 77-63 defeat against third-ranked Wooster on Saturday in the Emory & Henry Invitational. It was the first time in four seasons that the Monarchs had played a nationally-ranked team during the regular season. The defeat was the second straight for Methodist, which slips to 1-2 on the season.
Sophomore Craig Moore had his best game yet in a Monarch uniform, scoring a career-high 16 points along with nine rebounds. release

 

November 20, 2005
Monarchs drop tough 118-115 double-overtime barnburner at Sewanee
Thomas, Radmanovic both record career highs in points
SEWANEE, Tenn. – Playing one of the more higher-scoring games in program history, the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball dropped a tough 118-115 double-overtime shootout at Sewanee on Sunday in the Lon Varnell Shootout. The scoring output was the most in a game by a Monarch squad since scoring 115 points against Piedmont Bible in the 1993-1994 season. Seth Thomas scored a career-high 33 points on 14-for-18 shooting from the field, while Dragan Radmanovic scored a career-high 25 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the free throw line. Thomas and Radmanovic both made the All-Tournament team. release

 

November 19, 2005
Monarchs open 2005-06 season with 59-48 victory over Maritime State
Lee paces Methodist with 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range
SEWANEE, Tenn. – The 2005-06 men’s basketball season got off on a winning note for the Methodist Monarchs as they pulled off a 59-48 victory over Maritime State in the Lon Varnell Classic at Sewanee. This marks the fourth straight season that Methodist has opened the season with a victory, and it was also the 95th victory for Methodist head coach David Smith. Junior guard Robert Lee paced Methodist with 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range. release
 

 

2005-06 Season Preview
Smith hopes Monarchs can continue to build on success of the the last four years
season preview


 

October 19, 2005
Monarchs selected first, Lady Monarchs fourth in USA South preseason basketball polls
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team was selected first and the Methodist Lady Monarch women’s basketball team was selected fourth in their respected preseason USA South Athletic Conference polls released on Wednesday. Head coach David Smith’s Monarchs were selected the preseason favorites in the men’s poll for the second straight season. They received six of the seven possible first place votes and 36 points total. Head coach DeeDee Jarman’s Lady Monarchs received 31 points total and one first place vote in the women's poll. release