ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Monique Lofton scored a season-high 17 points and the Methodist women's basketball team defeated N.C. Wesleyan, 65-48, on Wednesday evening at Everett Gym.
 
Lofton helped the Monarchs improve to 12-7 overall and 6-4 in the USA South by hitting 4-of-6 three-point attempts and 5-of-6 attempts from the line. The Battling Bishops fell to 8-13 overall and 5-7 in conference play.
 
After doubling up NCWC in the first quarter (14-7), Methodist saw the Bishops claim the second quarter, 13-8, for a 27-25 MU lead at the break. NCWC took a 29-27 lead early in the third quarter and still held a 33-32 lead with 5:14 in the period.
 
Lofton gave MU a 35-33 lead with a triple at the 4:44 mark, and a three-point play by Jalisia Campbell pushed the MU advantage to 38-33. A three-point play by Ayana Pegues capped a 10-4 run by the Monarchs and gave MU a 45-37 lead entering the fourth quarter.
 
N.C. Wesleyan opened the scoring in the fourth, but Lofton answered with back-to-back threes and the Monarchs took a 53-39 lead with 7:04 to play. MU's lead reached as large as 19 points down the stretch as N.C. Wesleyan was not able to mount a rally down the stretch.
 
Methodist shot 39.3 percent as a team (24-61) from the floor and held N.C. Wesleyan to just 28.2 percent shooting (20-71), including 3-of-22 (.136) from beyond the arc. The Bishops held a 50-47 edge on the glass and turned the ball over 23 times.
 
In addition to Lofton's 17 points, Campbell chipped in 15 points, and Alexis Wallace and Pegues had 10 points apiece. Sydney Bryan had a team-best 10 rebounds and Wallace added eight rebounds.
 
Alexis Fitzgerald led the Bishops with 11 points and added seven rebounds. KeChae Parker had six points and nine rebounds, and Shekinah Huggins added six points and five boards.
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Saturday when they host Piedmont at 4:00 pm.