Women's Basketball | 2/23/2010 9:35:28 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist University women's basketball team completed the three-game sweep over Shenandoah University with a 65-53 victory in the USA South Tournament quarterfinal Tuesday night.

After picking up 57-50 win in Winchester and a 47-40 victory at the Riddle Center last Friday, the Monarchs battled back in the first half to gain control when it mattered most.

The Monarchs (16-10, 11-7) missed their first seven shots of the game but Shenandoah could not capitalize, only taking the 3-0 lead through the first three and a half minutes. Methodist junior Dawn Sanderson put the Monarchs on the board with a layup on the assist from freshman Jackie Lyles.

Shenandoah jumped ahead to the 19-12 lead, but a jumper from freshman #T.T. Taylor and two fast break layups from senior Michaela Myers# moved the Monarchs within one point. Methodist took their first lead of the game on a layup from Taylor with 4:59 remaining in the half and held the 30-27 advantage at the break.

Methodist came back out firing and built up a 46-36 lead midway through the second half. The Monarchs led by as many as 13 points before finishing with the 65-53 victory.

Lyles led the Monarchs with 17 points and Myers added 13 points. Senior Dezzire Gilliard finished with 12 points.

With the win, the Monarchs will travel to Christopher Newport University on Friday for a 6 p.m. semifinal against the top seeded Captains. Fans unable to make the trip can follow all of the action on the USA South Tournament web site.

Box Score