Women's Basketball | 1/21/2009 7:39:07 PM

DANVILLE, Va. - Averett University jumped out to an early 10 point lead and the Monarchs fought back, but came up short 51-49 Wednesday night.

The first three minutes left both teams scoreless before Averett (8-5, 4-2) scored the first basket of the game.  They went on to score the first 10 points, but the Monarchs (7-5, 2-3) closed the gap to four at halftime.

Methodist came out fighting in the second half and took their first lead of the game on a jumper from sophomore Adriana Wilson with 11:34 to play in the game.  After exchanging baskets, the Cougars regained the advantage to lead by as many as nine points with 2:50 remaining.  Free throws from sophomore Dawn Sanderson and Wilson closed the gap to four points with 1:35 on the clock.  Averett was sent to the free throw line and Kristyn Wharton scored hit her second shot to go up by five, but Methodist senior Dezzire Gilliard scored a jumper at the other end to move within three.  The Monarchs got the ball back twice and Wilson scored a jumper after grabbing her own rebound, but still down by one, they sent Averett back to the free throw line where the Cougars finished with the 51-49 victory.

Wilson led the team with 18 points while Gilliard had 14 points.  Sanderson led the team with nine rebounds.

Methodist will host Mary Baldwin on Saturday at 2 pm.

Box Score