RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Methodist women's basketball team won its third consecutive game, 65-56 at Meredith on Wednesday evening.
 
The Monarchs (5-12, 5-6 USA South) fell behind by as many as 11 points in the first half before using a 19-6 scoring run to take a 31-29 lead by halftime and then hold off the Avenging Angels (9-9, 8-4 USA South) in the second half.
 
Meredith started the game quickly, racing out to a 23-12 lead less than 10 minutes into the first period following a free throw by Laquetta Hairston. Monique Lofton answered with a three pointer followed moments later by a free throw that inched the Monarchs within seven points (23-16) with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half. Jessi Hayes restored a nine-point advantage (25-16) on the ensuing possession before nine straight points from the Monarchs knotted the contest at 25-25 with 3:38 on the clock. The Monarchs would take a four-point lead in the final minute of the half, but Brittaney Rice's jumper with 23 seconds left made it a 31-29 lead for Methodist at the half.
 
In the second half, the Monarchs saw Meredith take a brief two-point lead before using a 13-4 burst to assume a seven-point cushion (44-37) on one of Kayla Pless' three made three pointers by the 12:17 mark. The Methodist lead would grow to as many as 13 points with under 10 minutes to play and Meredith (9-9, 8-4 USA South) never pulled within seven points down the stretch.
 
The Monarchs (.365) and Avenging Angels (.345) both struggled from the floor, but MU boasted decided advantages in both three-point shooting and free-throw shooting to help offset a 46-36 edge on the glass for Meredith. Methodist hit 6-of-15 three-point attempts (.400) and 21-of-29 free-throw shots (.724) while MC was just 2-of-10 from long range (.200) and 14-of-21 (.667) from the charity stripe.
 
Pless and Alexis Wallace each scored 11 points to lead the Monarchs. Pless knocked down 3-of-4 three pointers in just seven minutes off the bench. Jalisia Campbell, Lofton and Jasmine Canady each scored eight points for the Monarchs. Campbell added a team-best seven rebounds, Canady had four assists, and Wylonda Surles chipped in three steals.
 
For Meredith, Danielle Lee and Kim Hinton each scored 12 points, Rice chipped in 11 and Raven Gregory added 10 points off the bench. Hinton had 11 rebounds and Gregory added 10 boards. Lee notched four assists and Rice contributed three steals.
 
Methodist is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Ferrum at 4:00 pm in its annual Play 4Kay event at the Riddle Center.