MONARCHS LATE RALLY SINKS EXPRESS
The Methodist University Monarchs used a late 12-0 run to sink the Wells College Express in the consolation game of the Washington & Lee University Holiday Tournament held Monday afternoon in Lexington, Va. The loss drops the Express to 3-8 on the season, while Methodist improves to 4-8.
Dave Foltz (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) led the Express with a team high 21 points and was awarded All-Tournament honors for his efforts averaging 19 points and 4.5 assists for the tournament. Ronald Teekasingh (Binghamton, N.Y./Johnson City) chipped in with 12 points, including 4 of 6 from behind the arc, while Andre Sawyers (Bronx, N.Y./Mt. St. Michaels) added 11 points to pace the Express.
Mark Jernigan (Greensboro, N.C./Eastern Guilford) led Methodist and was named to the All-Tournament team with a game high 33 points, while Josh Hays (Aurora, Colo./Terry Sanford and James Whitehead (Columbia, S.C./Dreher) each added 14 points to lead the Monarchs.
Well shot 45.5 percent from the floor, including 10 of 29 from behind the arc but shot just 9 of 18 from the charity stripe. The Monarchs fared slightly better from the floor shooting 48.7 percent and capitalized from the free throw line hitting on 15 of 19 shots.
The two teams played a tight first half with six lead changes occurring in the half. The Monarchs held a slight four point advantage mid-way through the first half but a 7-0 run by the Express put Wells ahead 20-16 with less than ten minutes to go. The Express continued to hold the advantage but an 8-2 run by Methodist led to 35-33 halftime lead for the Monarchs.
Methodist came out shooting in the second half and would open up the largest lead of the game (46-39) with 15:07 to play. The Express continued to battle, tying the game at 51 on a three-pointer by Benito Perez (Crystal City, Texas/Crystal City). The Monarchs answered with a quick 10-0 run and would hold a ten point lead as late as 6:56. The Express again battled back to within three-points (66-63) but it would be all Monarchs down the stretch as they would rattle of 12 straight points in less than three minutes to seal the 81-69 victory.
The Express return to action next on Wednesday Jan. 12 against SUNY IT at 7:00 p.m. in Utica, N.Y.
