Pfeiffer Opens Homestand With 85-69 Win Over Methodist

Misenheimer, N.C. (Feb. 7, 2022) – The Pfeiffer University men's basketball team opened a season-long five game homestand with an 85-69 USA South win over visiting Methodist University on Monday night at Merner Gym.

After being tied 31-31 at the half, Pfeiffer jumped ahead 44-38 with 14:17 left in the half after senior Jerome Savoy (Waldorf, Md.) converted a three-point play after being fouled on the drive.  His free throw gave the Falcons the six-point cushion.  E.J. Thomas (Charlotte, N.C.) would put Pfeiffer up 46-38 on a slick move to the basket off an inbound pass from senior Nick Ruggiero (Harrisburg, N.C.).

The Falcons would go ahead 52-42 on another Thomas basket, this time on a fast break opportunity following a Monarch miss.

Methodist was able to trim the Falcon lead to four points (65-61) after a Nehemiah McClain three- pointer with 5:54 to play.  A quick Falcon spurt would grow the lead to 69-62, but Methodist would not go away, as they trimmed the lead to as few as five points on two additional occasions before Pfeiffer would be able to pull away, taking the 85-69 win.

Savoy had a game-high 22 points, highlighted by a stellar 16-of-20 outing from the free throw line.  Fellow senior Craig Sabb (Goose Creek, S.C.) finished with 15 points after going 5-of-7 from the field.  Taylan Rowe (Oakboro, N.C.) scored 14 points and had six rebounds to round out the double-figure scorers for Pfeiffer.

Sophomore Dorian Miles (Greenville, S.C.) hauled in 14 rebounds and just missed a double-double… finishing with eight points.

Methodist got 15 and 13 points from Kevin McLaughlin, Jr. and McClain, respectively.

Collectively, Pfeiffer went 38-of-49 from the free throw line and 22-of-45 (48.9%) from the field while holding Methodist to a 24-of-75 (32%) mark from the field.

The win improves the Falcons to 8-8 overall and 5-3 in league play while Methodist slips to 1-18 overall and 0-9 in conference play.

Pfeiffer will have a quick turnaround as they host another USA South game on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Merner Gym against William Peace University.

Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. Read Full Article