Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist Monarchs (6-7, 4-1 USAS) defeated the Brevard College Tornados (4-7, 1-3 USAS) in a tightly contested USA South matchup on Saturday afternoon.
Junior forward Levi Lamb led the way for the Tornados on Saturday, recording a game-high 18 points on an impressive 7-of-10 shooting while grabbing a team-high six boards.
Junior Qadhafi Turner brought a spark off the bench for Brevard. Turner added 13 points, which included four 3-pointers on the afternoon.
Sophomore Demari Hopper secured a near double-double effort, scoring 12 points in addition to nine rebounds in the conference showdown.
Three Methodist starters ended up tallying double-digit scoring efforts, including Sam Mingledoff's 12 point, seven rebound effort.
The Tornados fell despite shooting a solid 20-of-43 (46.5%) mark from the floor. The equal matchup between two USA South opponents was determined by the turnover differential, as the Tornados committed 24 turnovers compared to the Monarchs' 13. Methodist translated these turnovers into 21 points.
This USA South matchup was tightly contested wire-to-wire, as both sides stayed close through the first stanza. With the Monarchs holding a slim 13-10 lead halfway through the first half, Methodist was able to pull away, extending its lead to 30-20 with 2:58 left in the first half.
Despite a spirited Brevard effort which cut the Monarchs' lead to 32-28, Methodist was able to pull to a 38-31 halftime lead. The Monarchs held a 16-11 rebounding advantage at the half.
Methodist pushed its lead to double-digits twice in the second half, as the Monarchs held a 46-35 lead at the 17:03 mark, and again securing a 48-37 lead at the 16:04 mark.
This lead held true until three free throws by Lamb and Turner cut Methodist's lead to just five points at 52-47.
With just 8:24 left in the second half, Methodist's Dante Burden extended Methodist's lead to 57-47 after a made free throw. Brevard would answer, cutting the Methodist lead to 61-55 with 2:16 remaining in the contest.
Freshman Malon Herron-Cuthbertson hit an important 3-point jumper to cut Methodist's lead to three points, 61-58. Methodist sent Burden and J'Quan Deal to the charity stripe, where each made one of two of their free throws, which pushed Methodist's lead to 63-58.
The Tornados came up with some clutch baskets in the final minute of competition. Lamb's dunk cut the Methodist lead to 63-60, and after two made free throws by Methodist's Kaymon Mitchell, Turner drilled a late 3-pointer which brought Brevard within two points, trailing 65-63.
With just 13 seconds left, Methodist's Garren Dearman hit back-to-back clutch free throws, giving Methodist a 67-63 lead. A late Tornados' turnover sealed their date, as the Monarchs escaped with a 67-63 USA South Conference victory.
The Tornados gear up for the back end of their back-to-back USA South contests, traveling to Rocky Mount, N.C. for a Sunday afternoon matinee against N.C. Wesleyan at 1 p.m.
USA South Instagram Takeover: The Brevard College Tornados Men's Basketball team have taken over the USA South Conference's Instagram account from January 4-6. During the winter months of basketball season, 11 teams, as well as the USA South Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), will have the opportunity to share their experiences, through pictures and videos, while competing away from their respective campuses. Brevard will share its road trip to Methodist and N.C. Wesleyan with the USA South Conference's Instagram followers.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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