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. In addition, that point total moved Thomas to within five points of reaching 1,000 for his Methodist career.

Methodist controlled the early part of the first half. The Monarchs broke a 7-7 tie with an 8-0 run as Dragan Radmanovic drained two straight 3-point baskets and Fred McDonald connected on two free throws. Thomas’ 3-point basket stretched the Methodist lead to 18-10 with 14 minutes remaining.

However, Piedmont cut into the lead, and then took a 24-23 lead on Brent Walker’s lay-up with 8:40 remaining. The Lions stretched the lead to as many as six points before Methodist cut the lead to a point on consecutive 3-point baskets by Thomas and Brandon Williams and a jumper by Radmanovic.

Leading by six points at halftime, Piedmont stretched the lead to 12 points, 66-54 on Mike Adams’ 3-point basket with 16:26 remaining. Twice, the Monarchs cut the lead to three points, the last coming on Travis McBryde’s lay-up with 4:33 remaining to make the Piedmont lead 92-89.

However, two straight 3-point baskets by Kyle Kemmerer stretched the Lion lead to 10 points, 106-96 at the 1:14 mark.

In addition to Thomas, Radmanovic had solid game with 21 points and seven rebounds for Methodist, while Grant scored 12 points and McDonald and McBryde each added 10 points.

For Piedmont (13-10), Adams scored 26 points on six 3-point baskets, while Jake Baldwin scored 25 points. Walker recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Tyler Whitlock and Kemmerer each added 10 points.

Methodist returns to USA South Athletic Conference action at rival North Carolina Wesleyan on Monday at 7:30 p.m.