January 23, 2006Story Photo
 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.

However, it was North Carolina Wesleyan that spoiled the evening. Methodist led 61-55 with 9:52 remaining when the Bishops gained control behind the play of guards Lenny Hall and Jarmel Arrington.

Hall drained a 3-point basket, and then his 3-point play gave North Carolina Wesleyan a 65-63 lead with 8:09 remaining. Emanuel Alston’s 3-point play in transition increased the Bishop lead to five points, and then Sharard Carmichael’s lay-up capped a 17-4 run and gave North Carolina Wesleyan a 72-65 lead with 6:53 remaining.

Methodist was able to trim the Wesleyan lead to three points when Grant drained a jump shot with 3:46 remaining, but the Bishops responded with a 3-point basket by Arrington and another lay-up by Carmichael.

Hall’s two free throws gave North Carolina Wesleyan an 85-74 lead with 26 seconds remaining.

In addition to Grant, Seth Thomas scored 17 points for Methodist, including 12 in the first half when the Monarchs took a 40-36 lead at halftime after five lead-changes and three ties. Hall scored 30 points for North Carolina Wesleyan (5-11, 3-1), including 14-for-16 from the free throw line. Arrington scored 21 points and Carmichael added 12 points.

From the free throw line, the Bishops shot a sizzling 81 percent (25-for-31).

Methodist hits the road for two crucial games in the USA South. The Monarchs play at Christopher Newport on Saturday at 4 p.m., and at Shenandoah on Sunday at 4 p.m.