FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Methodist forced 42 turnovers and forced Mary Baldwin into 23.7 percent shooting in posting a 53-24 win in women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon at the March F. Riddle Center.
 
The Monarchs (6-13, 6-7 USA South) allowed just nine made field goals by the Fighting Squirrels (0-19, 0-13 USA South) in winning for the fourth time in the last five games. Methodist also got to the free-throw line 29 times, making good on 17 attempts (.586) while MBC was just 6-for-10 from the line.
 
Methodist held a 13-7 lead in the first half before using a 16-0 run to assume a 29-7 lead with 5:41 left in the first period en route to a 36-10 lead at the break. During the aforementioned run, MU forced eight turnovers and the Fighting Squirrels missed seven consecutive shots. Kayla Pless scored six points during the burst and Monique Lofton added five points over the same stretch.
 
In the second half, Methodist's lead reached as many as 30 points and never dipped below 25 points as the Monarchs kept up the defensive pressure, forcing 19 second-half turnovers and allowing just five made field goals over the final 20 minutes.
 
Methodist shot 28.3 percent as a team (17-60), but came down with 20 offensive rebounds and 40 boards in total. The Monarchs also had 22 steals as a team and 10 different players made the scoring column.
 
Ayanna Pegues and Jalisia Campbell scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the Monarchs. Wylonda Surles and Pless finished with six points apiece, and Pegues had a team-best six rebounds. Surles and Jasmine Canady each had six steals.
 
For Mary Baldwin, Shantelle Jennings led the team with seven points and four steals. Kaybria Johnson had six points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Tevanah Charlemagne grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Methodist will host William Peace on Wednesday beginning at 7:30 pm.