ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Methodist women's basketball team fell to host N.C. Wesleyan, 67-79, on Wednesday night.
 
The Monarchs (8-15, 8-9 USAS) went on an early 8-1 run at the start of the first half, their largest lead of the game, capped by a layup by Sydney Bryan, before N.C. Wesleyan (6-16, 4-13 USAS) rallied to tie the score at 11-11 with a layup by Jordan Cager at the 14:23 mark.
 
MU fell behind 39-23 after N.C. Wesleyan exploded on a 28-12 run, started with a jumper by Kenyata Harris in the paint. The Monarchs shaved the deficit to 12 points with a free throw by Jalisia Campbell at the 0:47 mark, but the Bishops answered with a jumper by Alexis Fitzgerald to bring the score to 43-29 in NCWC's favor.
 
N.C. Wesleyan led by double digits throughout most of the second half, but Methodist was able to cut the Bishops' lead just seven points on a converted layup by Canady (71-64) at the 2:05 mark.
 
A pair of free throws by Shenikah Huggins started an 8-3 run for the Bishops, which would end the game with a final score of 79-67.
 
As a team, Methodist shot 37.9 percent from the field (25-66) and 73.3 percent from the line (11-15). NCWC shot 42.2 (27-64) from the floor and 78.3 percent (18-23) from the free-throw line, but was able to capitalize from outside the arc, hitting 50.0 percent of shots (7-14). The Bishops also out rebounded MU, 47-36.
 
Campbell led MU with 15 points, and added five rebounds. Wallace chipped in a team-high eight rebounds with eight points. Bryan and Lofton each had 11 points, and Pegues recorded 10 points and six rebounds.
 
For NCWC, Cager was one of four players in double figures with 28 points and also had a team-high 13 rebounds. Harris and NeTaih Davis each added 12 points and 12 and eight rebounds, respectively.
 
Methodist continues play on the road when it travels to Ferrum, Va. to take on the Panthers of Ferrum College at 4 pm.
 
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