Methodist outlasts Hornets

Daily Staff Report - sports@nvdaily.com

Host Methodist University outlasted Shenandoah for a 78-76 USA South Conference men's basketball victory in overtime on Friday night at the Riddle Center.

After Shenandoah (10-14, 7-4 USA South) tied the game at 67-67 on a Chris Schrader layup with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Methodist (3-21, 3-8) took control with a 5-0 run midway through the overtime period.

Shenandoah took its last lead when Kenny Robertson converted a layup with 3:30 to play. The Monarchs answered with a Tanner Carnes layup 55 seconds later and held the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Carnes' fast-break points exchanged the advantage for the 10th time in the contest.

Shenandoah had its last chance to tie when Tyler Sigman missed the second of two free throws at the six-second mark, but the Hornets fumbled the ball out of bounds and were forced foul in order to get the ball back.

Steven Kerr drained both of his free throws for the hosts, and the Hornets could only get a Brandon Bryan 3-pointer from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded.

Robertson led SU with 18 points and 10 rebounds. It is his second straight double-double.

The good news for the Hornets is that the loss doesn't affect Shenandoah's seed at the upcoming USA South Conference Tournament. Regardless of the outcome of its game against Greensboro today, Shenandoah will be the No. 2 seed on Tuesday in the quarterfinal round of the tournament.

The Hornets will host either Methodist or Greensboro at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinal round game; the only way that Greensboro could be the opponent is if the Hornets defeat Greensboro today and Methodist does the same to Christopher Newport.

In all other scenarios, Greensboro would hold the tie-breaker over Methodist for the sixth seed.

N.C. Wesleyan has earned the No. 1 seed and the accompanying bye into the semifinal round, while Averett and Christopher Newport at the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds (order dependent upon final results). Ferrum is locked into the fifth seed and will travel to whoever falls to fourth.