Women's Basketball | 2/22/2011 7:27:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist women's basketball team came from behind in the USA South Tournament first round match-up to edge Averett 65-57 on Tuesday.

The No.5 Cougars jumped out to the 7-1 lead before the Monarchs battled back to tie the game with a layup from Becca Himes. Averett responded with six straight points to lead 16-10 and took a 21-19 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Monarchs came out fresh in the second half and took a quick 25-21 lead on a basket from Jackie Lyles. The game was tied at 25, 29 and 30 before Methodist went on a 10-1 run to lead by nine. The Monarchs led by as many as 11 points before Averett came back to make a late run. Deandra Brown trimmed the lead to three points with 1:15 to play, but once again Methodist came through with free throws to secure the 65-57 win.

Himes led the team with 15 points while Lyles and Dawn Sanderson both had 14 points and eight rebounds apiece.

Liz Martin paced the Cougars with 21 points.

Methodist advances to the USA South Conference Tournament semifinals where they will face the winner of Greensboro and Peace.

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