Women's Basketball | 1/14/2012 3:55:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Ferrum College led by as many as 16 points before Methodist took over late. The Panthers bounced back and narrowly edged the Monarchs 59-54.

The Panthers (11-2, 6-1) took the early lead and built the 27-17 advantage with 6:02 remaining in the half. They led by as many as 13 before the Monarchs cut the lead to eight with two free throws from Brianna Robinson. The Panthers took the 37-26 lead at halftime after scoring 14 fast break points compared to the Monarchs' two.

Methodist (7-7, 4-3) started slow in the second half and Ferrum built the 48-32 lead with 11:44 left to play. Methodist came back with a 21-4 run over the next eight minutes to take their first lead of the game at 53-52 with 3:54 on the clock. The Panthers' Tesla Akers came back with a 3-pointer for Ferrum to regain the lead and scored another basket to lead 57-53 in the final two minutes. Methodist's Emily Huneycutt drove to the basket and was fouled underneath to reach the free throw line and trimmed the lead to three points hitting her first. The Monarchs had two chances to tie it up, but just missed and Ferrum secured the 59-54 win.

T.T. Taylor led Methodist with 13 points while Huneycutt and Jackie Lyles had nine points apiece.

Ferrum's Jacole Hairston scored 10 points for the Panthers. They out rebounded Methodist 49-33 while the Monarchs had just 18 turnovers compared to the Panthers' 29. Christopher Newport defeated Greensboro today leaving CNU and Ferrum atop the conference at 6-1.

Methodist will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to N.C. Wesleyan for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Box Score