Women's Basketball | 2/24/2012 9:27:00 PM

Box Score FERRUM, Va. – The Ferrum College women's basketball team proved why they were the No. 1 seed with a 72-50 victory over No. 4 Methodist in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal.
 
The Panthers (22-5) jumped out to a 9-0 lead before Iesha Hayes got the Monarchs on the board with a layup 3:43 into the game. Hayes' 3-pointer with 13 minutes on the clock cut the lead to six at 15-9, but Ferrum went on a 10-2 run to take a 14 point lead. Ferrum's Tesla Akers hit two free throws with 3:05 remaining to give the Panthers their largest lead at 37-22. Methodist (15-12) closed the half with seven straight points to trail 37-29 at the break.
 
Methodist came out strong to start the second half with baskets from T.T. Taylor and Jackie Lyles to cut the lead to four. Ferrum responded with a 3-pointer and slowly pulled away to lead 59-43 with 6:37 on the clock. The Monarchs' Courtney Woods drove in for a layup and T.T. Taylor hit two free throws to move within 12, but the Panthers finished with the 72-50 victory.
 
Hayes led the Monarchs with 13 points while Taylor had 12 points. Lyles finished with seven points and a team-high 13 rebounds.
 
Ferrum finished shooting 50 percent from the field with three players in double figures. Jacole Hairston led the team with 19 points.

Methodist finishes the season 15-12 overall while Ferrum advances to face No. 2 Christopher Newport on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Box Score