Women's Basketball | 1/31/2009 4:57:48 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist women's basketball sent the game to overtime with free throws in the final seconds but lost to Shenandoah 80-77 in overtime.

Methodist (10-6, 5-4) took the early 13-8 lead through the first five minutes of the first half.  Both teams exchanged the lead before Shenandoah (11-6, 7-3) took the 21-19 lead with 8:38 to go.  They led by as many as six before Methodist came back and trailed just 30-27 at halftime.

The Monarchs came back and evened the score at 33 with a jumper by senior Dezzire Gilliard.  Methodist built up a four point lead with a layup from sophomore Dawn Sanderson but Shenandoah went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead.  The Hornets were ahead 64-58 with 2:11 to go, but Methodist junior Michaela Myers came back and hit a jumper at the other end.  Gilliard made it to the free throw line and went 2-for-4 to move within two points.  The Monarchs gained possession again and sophomore Adriana Wilson was fouled with one second on the clock.  Wilson knocked down both free throws to tie the game at 64 and send it to overtime. 

Methodist led 66-65 a minute into overtime, but the Hornets came back and took the lead.  The Monarchs were down by three with 25 seconds to go and had a shot just skim over the basket but Wilson picked up the offensive board and layup to move within one.  Methodist fouled to send Shenandoah to the free throw line and the Hornets finished with the 80-77 win.

Gilliard led the Monarchs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Sanderson had 15 points and Myers added 13 points.

The Monarchs will host Christopher Newport tomorrow at 2 pm.

Box Score