FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Bryan Rouse pumped in five three-pointers and 25 points, both game highs, in Methodist University's 70-65 basketball victory over Guilford College Saturday. The hot-shooting Monarchs held off a late Quakers' rally that trimmed a 13-point second-half deficit down to two in the final two minutes.

Rouse scored 18 points and the Monarchs shot 50 percent from the floor to open a 37-32 halftime lead. Rouse's layup midway through the second half capped a 12-1 Monarchs' run that featured seven Rouse points. The outburst opened a 54-41 Methodist advantage with 9:55 left in regulation.

Guilford answered with a 22-11 spurt thanks to a combined five three-pointers from Mason Reyer and Carson Long. Long's second triple capped the run and brought the Quakers to within 65-63 with just two minutes left. The teams traded baskets in the final minute, before Rae Hall's traditional three-point play with 29 seconds left provided the game's final margin. Guilford had three three-point shots and a steal in the final 14 seconds, but could not get one to fall.

Rouse connected on nine-of-15 field goals, including five-of-nine three-pointers. He also had four rebounds, four assists and four steals in 29 minutes. Jackson Whitley chipped in 16 points, a team-high five boards and a game-best six blocks for the Monarchs. Davion Ayabarreno and Hall both netted 12 points apiece. The Monarchs shot 52 percent from the floor, including nine-of-19 from three-point land.

Long led Guilford with 17 points and Reyer had a career-high 16 in defeat. The Quakers shot less than 35 percent from the floor, but won the battle of the boards, 39-27. Marcus Curry added nine points off the bench and Zachary Houston finished with seven points, a game-high six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Coach Tom Palombo's Quakers (5-2) visit Birmingham Southern College Thursday (12/15) at 6:00 p.m.