November 27, 2005
Monarchs recover, knock off Thomas More 82-72
Williams scores career-high 21 points in Methodist victory

EMORY, Va. – The potential has been unlimited for Brandon Williams in his young career with the Methodist Monarch men’s basketball team. On Sunday in the consolation game of the Emory & Henry Invitational, Williams started living up to that potential.

The junior forward from Gainesville, Fla., scored a career-high 21 points as Methodist knocked off Thomas More 82-72 at Emory & Henry’s King Center. The victory improves Methodist to an even 2-2 on the 2005-06 season.

Williams was near perfect, connecting on 8-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from 3-point range, and he also recorded three steals defensively. It was the first half where Williams made a big difference, scoring 12 points in staking Methodist to an eight-point lead at halftime.

Trailing 9-6, Williams spearheaded a 12-0 Methodist run with 10 points, including consecutive 3-point baskets. Two Seth Thomas free throws then gave the Monarchs an 18-9 lead with 10:16 remaining. Fred McDonald’s 3-point basket stretched the Methodist lead to 29-15 with 7:51 remaining.

The Monarchs’ largest lead of the first half was 15 points twice. Marcus Hairston’s lay-up at the 5:11 mark gave Methodist a 35-20 lead. However, behind some strong play down the stretch from center E.J. Haynes, Thomas More trimmed the Methodist lead to 44-36 at the half.

Methodist didn’t let up early in the second half, pushing its lead to 14 points on four occasions. McDonald’s jump shot at the 9:08 mark gave the Monarchs a 65-51 lead.

Thomas More started whittling away at the Methodist lead, but never got closer than six points. Hayes’ jumper in the lane trimmed the Monarch advantage to 78-72 with 27 seconds remaining.

In addition to Williams, Eugene Grant had his best game yet this season with 13 points and six rebounds, while freshman forward Travis McBryde scored 12 points with seven points off the bench. Thomas added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Monarchs, and McDonald added eight points.

Hayes scored a game-high 28 points for Thomas More (0-4), while R.K. Thurman scored 11 points off the bench.

Methodist takes a big step up on Thursday when it travels to NCAA Division I Appalachian State. Tip-off is 7 p.m.