November 14, 2007
Methodist Falls to Western Carolina 76-87
Billy McDade led the Monarchs with 17 points

CULLOWHEE, NC-  The Monarchs played their final exhibition game Wednesday night at NCAA Division I Western Carolina. The Monarchs led midway through the first half and only trailed by three at halftime, but the Catamounts pulled away in the second half finishing with the 87-76 win.

The Monarchs took their first lead of the game on a free throw by junior Travis McBryde with 14:22 to go. The Monarchs extended their lead briefly before the Catamounts took over 20-19 at 9:25. Junior AB Lehmann's jumper gave the lead back to Methodist, before Western Carolina scored the next seven points. Lehmann scored again to close the gap before senior Billy McDade's 3-pointer tied the game at 26 with 3:33 remaining. The Catamounts tried to pull away, but Methodist trailed just 35-32 at halftime.

Western Carolina came out strong in the second half to give themselves a ten point lead in the first five minutes of the half. They led by as many as 20 points before the Monarchs began chipping away at the gap. Two free throws from Methodist's Eric Thomas closed the lead to nine with 1:24 to go, but Western Carolina countered with a jumper and both teams came up empty in the final minute with Methodist missing their final five shots. Western Carolina finished with the 87-76 victory.

McDade led the Monarchs in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from behind the arc while senior Brian Lane scored 15 points. Junior Antwin Shuford finished with eight rebounds for Methodist.

The Monarchs will travel to Elizabethtown this weekend to open the regular season against Rutgers-Camden Friday at 6 pm.

Box Score