The Monarchs shot only 24 percent from the field in the first half, and trailed 20-13 at halftime. However, in the second half, Methodist shot 56 percent (14-for-25) and outscored Ferrum 45-26 in the second stanza. Robert Lee scored 16 points for Methodist, while Sam Porter recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
It was Ferrum that took control midway through the first half and early in the second half. The Panthers closed out the first half on a 12-1 and took a seven-point lead at halftime on Ken Holley’s lay-up with 29 seconds remaining. Ferrum increased the lead to 28-16 three minutes into the second half on consecutive lay-ups by Ed Robinson.
That’s when Methodist responded. The Monarchs, led by Lee and Porter, went on a 14-2 run over the next six minutes. Porter’s lay-up tied the game at 30-30 with 11:22 remaining in the game.
After Ferrum took a 37-34 lead on a lay-up by Jon Godsey, Methodist took control of the game with a 16-2 run. Lee’s lay-up with eight minutes remaining gave the Monarchs a 38-37 lead. The Monarchs increased the lead to 50-39 at the 2:30 mark on Seth Thomas’ 3-point play. The closest Ferrum trimmed the lead after that was six points.
In addition to Porter and Lee, Thomas scored 15 points for the Monarchs. Holley scored 10 points off the bench for Ferrum (3-10, 0-2).
Methodist travels on Tuesday to Averett at 7:30 p.m.