Women's Basketball | 2/21/2012 9:00:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist women's basketball team advanced to the USA South Tournament semifinal with a 70-60 win over N.C. Wesleyan College.

The seeds all held up in the tournament sending the No. 4 Monarchs to No. 1 Ferrum on Friday at 7 p.m. After splitting two match-ups in the regular season, Methodist scored first and never trailed as they finished strong down the stretch.

Iesha Hayes got the Monarchs started with a free throw and Jordan Tyson convereted a layup for the early 3-0 lead. The Monarchs scored the first six points before N.C. Wesleyan battled back to tie the game at eight. Jackie Lyles put Methodist back on top and the Monarchs led by as many as 11 points in the first half. With two minutes to play, Emily Huneycutt grabbed the steal and Jackie Lyles drove to the basket for the 28-17 advantage. The Bishops moved within seven in the final minute before T.T. Taylor hit two free throws for the 30-21 halftime lead.

The Monarchs led 39-26 five minutes into the second half, but N.C. Wesleyan used a 16-4 run to cut the lead to one with 10 minutes left in the game. Lyles took control and scored at the other end and Methodist led by six on two different occasions before the Bishops moved within one again at 51-50. The Monarchs came back with six straight points to lead 57-50. Huneycutt went 5-for-6 from the free throw line to put Methodist up 66-54 with 2:33 remaining. N.C. Wesleyan scored two quick baskets, but the Monarchs battled with a layup from Iesha Hayes and free throws from Lyles and Courtney Woods to earn the 70-60 win.

Lyles led the Monarchs with 19 points and 15 rebounds while Tyson finished with 14 points. Taylor added 11 points.

A'leisha Henderson finished with 12 points for N.C. Wesleyan.

Methodist will be back in action on Friday at Ferrum.

Box Score

USA South Tournament Site