With all five starters reaching double figures in scoring, the Monarchs improved to 13-4 overall and stayed undefeated in the USA South Athletic Conference at 5-0. The victory, coupled with Greensboro’s 69-62 victory over Shenandoah, puts Methodist in soul possession of first in the USA South heading into Sunday’s 2 p.m. showdown against Shenandoah at the Riddle Center.
After a first half in which there were seven lead changes, Methodist gained a little control in the final stanza, but never put away the pesky Captains.
Two free throws by Bryan Booth and a jump shot by Seth Thomas gave the Monarchs a 53-46 lead with 11:45 remaining. But the Captains trimmed it to one point on Don’t’a Selden’s fast break lay-up. However, every time Christopher Newport made a move, Methodist had an answer.
Dragan Radmanovic and Eugene Grant each drained 3-point baskets, extending the Methodist lead to 59-54. Christopher Newport trimmed the lead to two on Jeremy Romeo’s 3-point basket with 6:15 remaining, but Methodist countered with a 3-point basket on the ensuing possession by Thomas.
With Grant scored twice on baseline jump shots, Methodist extended lead to 74-64 with 3:54 remaining, and Grant’s 3-point basket at the 1:49 mark gave the Monarchs their largest lead, 79-67.
Christopher Newport utilized its press and trimmed the deficit to five points on Romeo’s 3-pointer with 38 seconds remaining, but the Monarchs drained six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
Grant scored 22 points and Thomas scored 21 points to pace Methodist, while Porter recorded his sixth double-double on the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Booth scored 12 points and Robert Lee added 10 points. For the game, Methodist shot 48 percent from the field, including 55 percent (12-for-22) from 3-point range.
For Christopher Newport (12-5, 2-3), Roderic Carey recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Steve Murrer with 14 points, Romeo scored 13 points and Brandon Brooks added 11 points. The two teams combined for 22 3-point baskets.