January 3, 2007
Monarchs Fall to Virginia Wesleyan
Sophomore Antwin Shuford paces Methodist with 10 points
 

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Monarchs finished their series with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference on Wednesday with a tough loss to the defending NCAA Division III Champion Marlins 49-84.  Midway through the first half, the Monarchs were within five, but Virginia Wesleyan expanded their lead throughout the remainder of the game to take the win.  Methodist moves to 4-4 overall while Virginia Wesleyan is 9-2.

 

The Monarchs first got on the board with a layup by sophomore Antwin Shuford in the fourth minute of play.  The Marlins took a ten point lead before Shuford hit two more baskets to move within six.  Virginia Wesleyan countered with a jumper by Stephen Fields before Monarch junior Brian Lane drilled a 3-point basket to move within five with 10:42 remaining in the half.  The Marlins' shot 58.8 percent to take a 46-25 lead into the locker room at halftime.

 

During the second half, Methodist head coach David Smith experimented with his lineup giving multiple players opportunities to play, but Virginia Wesleyan continued to dominate before they closed out with the 84-49 win.  The Monarchs shot 36.5 percent from the field while the Marlins went 35-for-67 for 52.2 percent.  Virginia Wesleyan also won the battle of the boards with 39 rebounds to the Monarchs' 30.

 

Shuford led the Monarchs with 10 points and five rebounds.  Junior Travis Winstead and senior Robert Lee both had six points a piece while freshman Bryan Pittman added five rebounds.

 

Marlins senior Brandon Adair led his team with 25 points while junior Ton Ton Balenga had 11.

 

Box Score