Spearheaded by four players scoring in double-figures, the Monarchs returned from a three-game road swing on Monday with a thrilling 83-77 victory over rival North Carolina Wesleyan at the Riddle Center. The Monarchs (14-8, 10-2) have now five straight games and 10 of their last 11 games.
They still hold a one-game lead over both Greensboro and Shenandoah.
Methodist used a dominating inside game to pull away from the Bishops with the strong play of forward Sam Porter and center Arthur Hatch. Both players recorded double-doubles as Hatch scored 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Porter scored 14 points and corralled 14 rebounds. As a team, Methodist out-rebounded North Carolina Wesleyan 56-41.
However, it was Wesleyan that had the early momentum, taking a 10-point lead in the game’s first five minutes. Methodist rallied to tie the game 31-31 on Eugene Grant’s lay-up in transition. However, the Bishops answered with a 3-point basket by Keith Sudler, and two jump shots in the lane by Bradley Blue to lead 38-34 at halftime.
The lead changed hands on five occasions early in the second half before Methodist took the lead for good, 52-48 on consecutive baskets in transition by Hatch. Two free throws by Grant and a jump shot by Hatch increased the Monarch lead to 64-54 with 7:55 remaining.
The Monarchs held what appeared to be a comfortable lead, 74-59 as Seth Thomas scored twice in transition. However, the Bishops battled back with eight free throws, trimming the Monarch lead to 76-69 with 59 seconds remaining.
However, Methodist sealed the victory on four free throws each by Porter and Eddie Lamar down the stretch.
In addition to Porter and Hatch, Grant scored a career-high 24 points, while Thomas scored 18 points. Sudler scored 23 points to pace North Carolina Wesleyan (13-10, 6-6), followed by Blue with 19 points, Bobby Jenkins with 12 points and Ramone Spears added 10 points.
Methodist aims to clinch at least a share of the USA South championship on Saturday when it plays host to Shenandoah at 4 p.m.