February 18, 2008
N.C. Wesleyan Drops Methodist Men 74-67
Junior Travis McBryde scored 15 points

ROCKY MOUNT, NC- A seven point halftime deficit was too much for the Monarchs to overcome as the Monarchs lost 74-67 to N.C. Wesleyan Monday night. The Monarchs move to 14-9 overall this season and 6-4 in the USA South while N.C. Wesleyan moves to 10-13 overall and 3-7 in the conference.

Methodist took an early nine point lead over the host Bishops Monday night on a dunk from freshman LeuMichael Smith. Both teams exchanged baskets before the Monarchs extended their lead back to nine. N.C. Wesleyan went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 22 with just over eight minutes to go in the half. The score was tied again at 24, 26 and 29 before the Bishops went on to take a 38-31 lead at halftime.

The Monarchs came out fired up in the second half with a game-tying 3-pointer from senior Billy McDade. With 13 minutes to go, Methodist led by eight, but N.C. Wesleyan climbed back to within one. The Bishops took a 63-60 lead with 5:28 on the clock and the Monarchs worked to close the gap. Freshman LeuMichael Smith hit a layup to move within four with 46 seconds to go, but the Monarchs were forced to foul and N.C. Wesleyan finished 5-for-6 from the free throw line to win 74-67.

McDade led Methodist wih 16 points while junior Travis McBryde and sophomore Tyler Sigman scored 15 points a piece. Smith added 13 while McDade and McBryde each grabbed eight rebounds.

The Monarchs will finish the regular season at home this weekend with Shenandoah on Friday at 7:30 pm and Christopher Newport on Saturday at 4 pm.

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