FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.. -- The Guilford College men's basketball team dropped an incredibly close 66-64 decision at Methodist University on Thursday night.

THE BASICS

• Score: Methodist 66, Guilford 64

• Records: Methodist 1-2, Guilford 0-2

• Location: Riddle Center - Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Guilford dominated the opening minutes of the contest, capping off the first minute with a three-pointer by Liam Ward. It would take nearly three minutes before another score happened, this time on a Joah Logan jumper. 

• The score remained close and at times tied throughout the first half. Eventually the hosts were able to obtain the lead and hold steady heading into the break, 30-28.

• GC came out of the half swinging, posting a 12-point run to lead 40-30 at 14:19. The streak was led by Ward with his six points and one assist.

• The pair continued to trade points, but the Quakers were able to maintain leads of 5 or more points until the seven minute mark when momentum switched in favor of the Monarchs.

• Things got interesting in the final two minutes as there were seven lead changes, three times in the final 30 seconds.

• Methodist posted a three at :31 to go up 63-61. Guilford answered with a Jaylen Gore bucket from beyond the arc with 14 seconds remaining to regain the lead, 64-63. 

• The contest was decided with seven seconds remaining as the hosts put up one last three pointer to regain the lead, 66-64.

COMPARING NUMBERS

• GC won the rebound battle, out rebounding Methodist 40 to 24. Especially impressive, 16-4 offensively. 

• Shutting down the offense, Guilford had four blocks to the hosts two. 

• Not surprisingly, the Quakers put up 14 second chance points. 

TOP PERFORMING QUAKERS

• Liam Ward had himself a day, scoring a team-best 23 points in his 37 minutes played. Ward also owned two of Guilford's blocks and steals.

• Also strong on offense, Jaylen Gore had eight points and four assists. Gore also collected one steal.

• Leading off the boards was Tyler Dearman with his nine rebounds, two offensive, seven defensive. Dearman also had six points, two steals and one block.

• Joah Logan was second in rebounds with eight. He also added seven points, three assists and one steal. 

NEXT TIME

Guilford will head to Wilmington on Friday, scheduled for a 7 p.m. exhibition contest at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington.