Women's Basketball | 1/7/2012 3:53:00 PM

Box Score WINCHESTER, Va. - Methodist and Shenandoah battled early, but the Monarchs used a late first half rally to carry momentum into the second half and earn the 67-50 win.

Turnovers proved costly early, but Methodist (5-6, 2-2) got on the board with a 3-pointer from Emily Huneycutt with 16:13 remaining in the first half. The basket sparked a 7-0 rally for the Monarchs as they took the 7-4 lead. Shenandoah (4-7, 1-3) moved ahead briefly, but Methodist responded with the 15-14 advantage. Jackie Lyles grabbed a rebound and drove the court for a lay-in and the 25-20 lead with 5:09 remaining. T.T. Taylor pushed the Monarchs ahead with a steal and easy layup in the final minute. Methodist had one final possession with less than four seconds on the clock and a quick play set up Huneycutt to drain her second 3-pointer of the game at the buzzer. The Monarchs maintained a 34-25 lead at the break.

The Hornets trimmed the lead to three points on a number of occasions early in the second half, but Methodist maintained control and used a 12-0 run to lead 57-42 with nine minutes left in the game. The Monarchs led by as many as 17 points as they cruised to the 67-50 win.

After shooting less than 35 percent in their last three games, the Monarchs finished shooting 24-for-45 from the field for a season high 53 percent.

Lyles led the team with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Huneycutt finished with nine points.

Sam Akers paced the Hornets with 15 points.

The Monarchs will continue their road trip as they travel to Mary Baldwin College for a 2 p.m. tip-off Sunday.

Box Score