With Seth Thomas scoring a career-high 32 points, the Monarchs overcame a sluggish second half and knocked off visiting Ferrum 82-66 on Saturday at the Riddle Center. Methodist runs its record to 16-4 overall and remains undefeated in the USA South Athletic Conference at 8-0.
The Monarchs maintained a three-game lead in the conference over both Averett and Shenandoah, who both won on Saturday.
Thomas connected on a whopping 11-for-14 from the field, including a sizzlin’ 5-for-6 from 3-point range and the free throw line, for his career high. It marks the most points in a game by a Monarchs since Montrell McNair scored 33 against Averett in the 1997-98 season.
Thomas scored 15 points in the first half as Methodist raced out to an early 18-4 lead. Thomas, Eugene Grant and Dragan Radmanovic then drained consecutive 3-point baskets to extend the Methodist lead to 43-23 with 2:44 remaining.
With a 48-27 lead at halftime, Methodist kept the margin around 20 points for the first five minutes of the second half. However, Ferrum stormed back into the game with a 15-2 run over a nine-minute span. Ken Holley’s lay-up cut the Methodist lead to 61-54 with 6:40 remaining.
But Thomas answered with a 3-point basket, followed by three straight free throws and a lay-up by Sam Porter. Thomas then drained another 3-pointer, increasing the Monarch lead to 74-57 with 4:20 remaining.
In addition to Thomas, Grant scored 14 points for Methodist, while Porter recorded his fifth straight double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Bryan Booth added eight points. For Ferrum (5-15, 2-6), Holley recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Kenny Johnson and Rob Fuller each scored 11 points. Methodist held Ferrum to a meager seven percent (1-for-14) from 3-point range.
Methodist plays host to Averett on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Riddle Center.