Methodist improves to 3-9 overall and 1-0 in the USA South.
Victory almost wasn’t in the cards for Methodist as the Monarchs had to withstand a furious rally by Greensboro. Trailing by 20 points, the Pride slowly crept back to within striking distance, trimming the Monarch lead to 66-52 with 5:11 remaining. That’s when guard Steve Berg ignited Greensboro.
The senior transfer from Eckerd drained three key 3-point baskets during a 16-2 run in which the Pride rallied to tie the game. Berg connected on two straight 3-point baskets, trimming the Methodist lead to 66-58 with 3:48 remaining. Following two free throws, Berg drained his third 3-point basket, tying the game at 68-68 with 1:25 remaining.
Greensboro had the ball and a chance to take the lead with a minute remaining, but Justin Davis missed a 3-point attempt for the Pride. Methodist’s Antwin Shuford was fouled on a lay-up attempt with 37 seconds remaining, and he calmly sank two free throws to give the Monarchs a 70-68 lead.
With the ball and a chance to either tie or take the lead, Greensboro committed a turnover with 17 seconds remaining. Methodist’s Robert Lee was then fouled, and the junior gave the Monarchs a 72-68 lead with 12 seconds remaining.
Methodist needed to come out quick against Greensboro, and it did. The Monarchs limited the Pride to 23 percent shooting from the field in the first half, including 22 percent from 3-point range. Methodist, meanwhile, rode 10 first half points by Robert Lee to take a 35-23 lead at halftime.
Dragan Radmanovic paced four Monarchs in double-figures with 15 points, followed by Lee with 14 points. Shuford recorded his second straight double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Grant scored 10 points. Methodist took care of the ball, committing only 11 turnovers, while shooting 71 percent (12-for-17) from the free throw line.
For Greensboro (4-8, 0-1), James Newman scored 19 points, followed by Berg with 16 points. Bryant Camp scored 12 points and Michael McDuffie added 11 for the Pride.
The Monarchs aim to make it two straight on Saturday, playing host to Ferrum at 4 p.m. at the Riddle Center.