Women's Basketball | 1/3/2010 3:56:52 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - It was a hard fought defensive battle, but the Methodist women prevailed 49-48 over the Guilford College Quakers.

The Monarchs (6-4, 2-1) led through most of the game, but Guilford (5-4) took the 48-47 lead with 24.6 seconds remaining in the game on two free throws from Alexa Williams. Guilford called a timeout and Methodist set up with an opportunity to take the lead. Their first shot opportunity came up short, but the Monarchs had the ball out of bounds with six seconds on the clock.

Methodist senior Michaela Myers fed senior Dezzire Gilliard who sank the shot with three seconds left to take the 49-48 lead. Methodist picked up their 12th steal of the day to seal the win.

During the first half of the game, both teams exchanged baskets with the score tied on five different occasions. Methodist finished the half on an 8-0 run to lead 24-17 at the break.

The lead changed four times during the second half, but Methodist battled to get to the free throw line even when the shots were not falling. The Monarchs earned more than half of their points from the line shooting 28-for-39.

Gilliard led Methodist with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Dawn Sanderson earned a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Monarchs will return to conference play on Thursday with a USA South match-up at Peace College at 7 p.m.

Box Score