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.

The victory ends a two-game losing streak for Methodist (7-16, 5-5).

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.

Methodist shot 46 percent from the field in the first half, including 43 percent from 3-point range, to take a 40-36 lead at halftime. The Monarchs never trailed in the opening stanza and their biggest lead was seven points, 25-18 on a lay-up by Michael McEvoy with 10:46 remaining.

However, North Carolina Wesleyan overtook the Monarchs in the second half with an 8-0 run. Jermaine Artis’ lay-up gave the Bishops a 58-51 lead with 10 minutes remaining. But Methodist didn’t panic as the Monarchs countered with a 14-6 run to lead 65-64 on a lay-up by Eugene Grant with 4:54 remaining.

A jump shot by Lenny Hall regained the lead for North Carolina Wesleyan, 72-69, but Methodist answered with a 3-point basket by Grant to tie it with 52 seconds remaining. The Bishops then turned the ball over, and Methodist cashed in with a go-ahead lay-up by Antwin Shuford with 22 seconds remaining.

North Carolina Wesleyan had a chance to tie, but Hall missed a jump shot, and Grant was fouled with 11 seconds remaining. However, the senior guard missed both free throws, giving the Bishops another hope. But another turnover with two seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Monarchs.

Grant scored 15 points to pace Methodist, while freshman forward Travis McBryde scored a career-high 14 points and Robert Lee scored 11 points off the bench.

The key for the Monarchs was containing the Bishops’ Hall, who came into the game as the leading scorer in the USA South Athletic Conference. They did just that, limiting the dangerous Hall to 14 points on only 5-for-21 shooting from the field.

Jarmel Arrington paced North Carolina Wesleyan (8-15, 6-4) with 16 points, while Alston scored 11 points and Artis and Sharard Carmichael both added 10 points. Artis also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Methodist closes out the regular season with two home games this weekend at the Riddle Center. The Monarchs play host to Shenandoah on Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by Christopher Newport on Saturday at 4 p.m.