GREENSBORO, N.C. – Irving Aughburns made two three-pointers in the final minute, including the game-winner with 12 seconds left, in Methodist University's 59-57 men's basketball win at Guilford College Wednesday night.
Aughburns, who scored eight of his 10 points in the second half, knocked down his first triple with 42 seconds left to give the Monarchs (3-4) their first lead (56-55) of the second half. Following a Guilford timeout, the Quakers' Will Freeman scored inside off a Trevor Mayo feed to put Guilford back in front by one with 22 seconds left.
The Monarchs called timeout and went back to Aughburns, who came off a screen near the top of the key where he knocked down the game-winner. His basket capped Methodist's methodical comeback from a 12-point deficit with 8:19 remaining. The Monarchs outscored the Quakers, 25-11, in that time.
Guilford (4-2) added to a 28-25 halftime lead thanks to three-pointers by Zachary Houston and Jarrod Rogers, combined with inside baskets by Will Freeman, who led all scorers with 14 points. A Freeman basket opened a 46-34 Quakers' advantage before the Monarchs mounted their rally.
Brandon Monk shared team-high scoring honors with 10 points for Methodist. Jackson Whitley, playing down the road from his alma mater, netted all eight of his points in the second half and added six rebounds. Tabias Hilliard also scored eight and dished out a game-high four assists. Aughburns' nine rebounds shared game-high honors. He also had three assists.
Freeman added seven rebounds to his game-best 14 points. Rogers finished with nine for the Quakers, who also got eight points apiece off the bench from Carson Long and Trever Hyatt. Houston finished with three points, a game-best nine rebounds and team-high three assists. Mayo scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Quakers managed just 36.4 percent field-goal shooting and made six-of-17 free-throw shots.
Guilford opens Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Saturday (12/5) against visiting Bridgewater College at 3:00 p.m. in Ragan-Brown Field House. The Quakers host Emory University the following day at 3:00 in a nonleague game.