Martin Methodist College defeated Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 72-67 and moves into a tie for second place in the TranSouth. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ falls to 15-12 overall and 3-8 in conference play. Martin Methodist is now 17-8 on the season and 7-5 in league play.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ had won four of their last five games and looking to play spoiler for opposing TranSouth teams. However, despite coming back from a 10-first half deficit, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ fell just short. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ trailed just 33-32 at halftime and eventually took a one point lead late in the second half. Martin Methodist proved too strong down the stretch, and to add to it, Bruno Martinessi and Derrick Underwood fouled with two minutes remaining. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was led by Will Harris with 17 points on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc. Martinessi added 14 points and Chima Abakwue scored 12 points. Abakwue also made 3-of-6 three-pointers. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot 35% (7-20) from behind the arc but just 64% (16-25) from the free throw line with key misses down the stretch.
Martin Methodist was led by Mike Hill with 17 points, John King with 14, Marcus McNair with 12, and Gerrod Shirley with 12. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ held Martin to just 23% shooting from the three point line and 47% from the field. Martin Methodist made 70% of their free throws. However, the most telling factor is that Martin Methodist out rebounded Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ 15-8 on the offensive glass and scored 22 second chance points.