Rocky Mount, N.C. - Methodist University erased a 15-point deficit with just over eight minutes remaining to force overtime, eventually scoring a 98-91 USA South win over N.C. Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon in Everett Gymnasium.
Trailing 39-26 at the break, the Monarchs (8-2, 3-0 USA South) found themselves down 71-56 with 8:25 remaining after a lay-up by NCWC's Adrian Moore gave the Bishops their biggest lead of the second half. Methodist, however, countered with a 19-7 run over the next six minutes to pull to within three points, 78-75, with two minutes to go.
Clinging to their slim lead, the Bishops went just 2-of-4 on their final two trips to the free throw line and led 84-82 with four seconds left. The two misses proved critical as MU's Davion Ayabarreno found teammate Rae Hall for a game-tying lay-in to force the extra frame.
Methodist scored the first four points of OT, but Wesleyan rallied with back-to-back buckets from A.J. Frye and Moore. Moore then countered a Monarch lay-up with a banked-in trey to give the Bishops their final lead, 91-90, with 2:05 remaining. Unfortunately, it would be the final points of the day for NCWC as MU closed out the victory with an 8-0 run.
Frye finished with a double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds to pace Wesleyan, while junior Robert Wilson and Moore added 17 and 15 points, respectively. All five Monarch starters reached double-figures, led by Ayabarreno and Jackson Whitley with 22 points apiece.
Wesleyan (4-6, 2-2 USA South) continues league play at home on Saturday when the Bishops host Maryville College at 2:00pm.