Women's Basketball | 11/26/2011 9:41:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Monarchs tied the game in the final seven minutes, but came up short 62-55 to The College of New Jersey in the first game of the Methodist InnKeeper Turkey Shootout.

The Lions (3-1) opened the game with a 14-4 lead midway through the first half, but the Monarchs chipped away at it until Iesha Hayes tied the game at 17 with 3:57 to play. TCNJ responded with a 3-pointer at the other end and maintained the advantage with a 27-26 lead at halftime.

TCNJ scored the first two baskets of the second half to lead 32-26, but Methodist came right back and moved within one at 36-35 with 14:52 remaining in the game. The Lions rebuilt a five point lead, but a layup from Jackie Lyles and a deep three from Emily Huneycutt tied the game at 46. The game was tied again at 47 with just under seven minutes on the clock, but the Lions scored the next seven points. Brianna Robinson trimmed the lead to five points with 45 seconds on the clock, but TCNJ finished 4-for-4 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the 62-55 win.

Lyles led the Monarchs with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Huneycutt scored 10 points while Iesha Hayes and Christina Schrader had eight apiece.

TCNJ had three players in double figures paced by Jessica Imhof with 17 points.

The Monarchs will be back in action on Sunday when they host St. Mary's College of Maryland in the final game of the Turkey Shootout at 4 p.m.

Box Score