ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - Methodist College won the rubber match of its season series and claimed the USA South Conference automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in the process with a 72-58 victory over second seeded Shenandoah Saturday afternoon.

No. 1 Methodist (18-9) got the victory on the strength of a strong first half shooting performance and a dominating job on the boards. MC shot 15 for 32 (46.9 percent) from the field in the first and outrebounded Shenandoah (16-10) 25-19.

The Monarchs took a 36-25 lead into the halftime lockerroom and after they scored the first four points of the second half, any thoughts of a Hornets comeback were quickly put away.

Methodist extended its advantage to as many as 25 points, and never let the lead slip below 12 the rest of the way.

The Monarchs claim their first title since making an Elite 8 run in 1997, the same season that the tournament was last held at NC Wesleyan. MC will find out its first-round NCAA opponent Sunday night.

Sam Porter, the tournament MVP, led the champions with 18 points and 11 rebounds while fellow All-Tournament team honoree Arthur Hatch had 11 points and five blocks. The duo almost singlehandedly won the game for their club in the first half by constantly forcing SU into ill-advised shots. The Hornets shot just 9 of 33 (27.3 percent) and had a combined four shots blocked by Porter and Hatch.

Seth Thomas gave MC a third person on the All-Tournament team while Shenandoah's Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern), NC Wesleyan's Keith Sudler and Chowan's Trayvon Lathan rounded out the team.

Rhone, Kenneth Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) and Chris Jenkins (Bristow, Va./Nokesville) all had 10 points for the Hornets.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200304/022804.htm