Pfeiffer Men's Basketball Falls 104-93 to Methodist

Misenheimer, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2020) –  Visiting Methodist University used a 11-1 run to close the first half and were never threatened in the second half in a 104-93 USA South men's basketball win over Pfeiffer University at Merner Gym on Saturday afternoon.

After being tied at 48-48 with 3:01 left in the first half, the Monarchs stretched their lead to 54-48 following baskets from Kaymon Mitchell, Dante Burden and a breakaway dunk from Garren Dearman with 1:29 before the halftime break.  A pair of Mitchell free throws followed by another Mitchell jumper swelled the Monarch lead to 58-48 and a free throw from Burden made it 59-48.  Pfeiffer would get a free throw from Jerome Savoy (Waldorf, Md.) with one second left to provide the 59-49 halftime score.

In the second half, Methodist went up by as many as 16 points (75-59) at the 13:06 mark following a three-pointer from Burden.  Pfeiffer did close to 79-70 after layup and free throw from D.J. Bradsher (Burlington, N.C.) with 7:54 to play. After Methodist built the lead back to 92-77, the closest the Falcons would get would be 99-90 after a pair of Jamaal David (Clinton, Md.) free throws with 56 seconds to play.

David led all Falcon scorers with 24 points while Tyjarek Simmons (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) added 15 points.  David also had 11 rebounds to lead Pfeiffer in securing the double-double.  Sean Scott (Waldorf, Md.) and Bradsher each finished with 10 points for Pfeiffer.

Methodist was led by Dante Burden's 29 points, as all five starters for the Monarchs recorded double-figures. Kaymon Mitchell had 25 points while Garren Darman finished with 16.  Kevin McLaughlin and Calvin Manley finished with 12 and 11 points respectively, helping Methodist to 12-9 overall record and an 8-5 mark in USA South play.

The loss drops Pfeiffer to 11-10 overall and 6-7 in league play.

The Falcons will have a short turnaround, as they host Maryville College on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9 at 1:00 p.m.