VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Ayanna Pegues led four Monarchs in double figures with 18 points, but Virginia Wesleyan defeated Methodist, 73-60, in women's basketball action on Sunday evening at the Batten Center.
 
Pegues scored 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting, but Methodist (0-6) shot just 37.7 percent (20-53) as a team. Conversely, VWC (5-2) shot 41.8 percent (28-67) as a team and knocked down seven triples while MU hit just two shots from long range.
 
The Monarchs led for much of the first half and Jalisia Campbell's bucket at the 8:08 mark gave Methodist its largest lead of the half at six points (27-21). However, the Marlins came roaring back and took a five-point lead (37-32) on Brittany Glasco's jumper with 2:43 left in the opening stanza.
 
Methodist trimmed its deficit to two points late in the half, but VWC ultimately took a seven-point (44-37) advantage into the break.
 
A 5-0 spurt to start the second half gave Virginia Wesleyan a 49-37 lead less than 50 seconds into the period and VWC would double-digit lead much of the half. The Monarchs rallied late, making it a six-point game (64-58) on a free throw by Sydney Bryan with 4:53 showing on the clock. The Marlins responded with a bucket by Glasco at the 3:35 mark for a 66-58 lead and 3:35 to play. Pegues kept MU close with a jumper of her own to make it 66-60 with 2:55 to play, but VWC outscored MU, 7-0, to close out the game and earn the win.
 
Joining Pegues in double figures were Wallace (11), Campbell (11) and Maria Jones (10). Wallace grabbed team-best seven rebounds, and Pegues and Bryan pulled down six boards apiece. Wallace also added four assists and a pair of steals.
 
Kelly Jones led Virginia Wesleyan with 20 points, and Symonne Newsome added 14, while Nancy Kelly had 12 points and nine boards. Glasco finished with nine points and six assists, and Andrea Paphites had seven points, five rebounds and four assists.
 
Methodist will now break until the new year when they will travel to LaGrange on Jan 3. Tipoff is set for 4:00 pm.