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.

Neither team shot the lights in the first half as the score was tied 21-21 at halftime. Methodist shot 35 percent from the field, but Shenandoah was limited to only 23 percent from the field (8-for-35). Neither team had more than a five-point lead, and that was a 17-12 advantage by Methodist on a jump shot in the lane by Michael McEvoy.

However, Methodist turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding the Hornets to only 25 percent shooting from the field and 0-for-7 shooting from 3-point range.

The Monarchs built a 10-point lead as Robert Lee drained a 3-point basket and Seth Thomas knocked down a jump shot in the lane. That gave Methodist a 34-24 lead with 13:45 remaining. However, Shenandoah answered with a 12-2 run as Jeremiah Lawrence scored three lay-ups in the paint and two Quan Griffin free throws tied the contest at 36-36 with 7:48 remaining.

But Methodist answered as Lee drained a 3-point basket, followed a two straight lay-ups by Thomas to build a 43-36 lead at the 5:40 mark. Another 3-point basket by Lee stretched the Methodist lead to 48-38 with four minutes remaining. In the final five minutes, the Monarchs limited Shenandoah to only two field goals.

Grant and Lee both scored 12 points for Methodist, while Thomas scored 10 points and Radmanovic added eight points. Antwin Shuford grabbed 12 rebounds for the Monarchs.

A defensive key for Methodist was shutting down Lawrence, who entered the game averaging 15 points a contest. The Monarchs did just that, limiting the sophomore forward to only six points on 3-for-18 shooting from the field. Lawrence did grab 16 rebounds, while Steven Johns paced Shenandoah (9-14, 1-10) with 13 points.

Methodist plays host to Christopher Newport on Senior Day on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Riddle Center.