FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Piedmont women's basketball team used a stifling defense first-half defense to knock off Methodist, 79-46, on Saturday afternoon at the Riddle Center.
 
The Lions (18-4, 13-0 USA South) limited MU to 4-of-29 shooting over the first two quarters in taking a 34-17 lead into halftime. Methodist (12-8, 7-5) held Piedmont to 38.9 percent (14-36) shooting over the first 20 minutes and benefited from getting to the line 16 times in the first half in keeping the conference leaders in sight, but Piedmont improved to 48.3 percent (14-29) in the second half as it pulled away.
 
The Lions held a 12-9 lead in the first quarter after Ayanna Pegues hit a pair of free throws for the Monarchs then scored six straight points to stretch its lead out to 18-9 on Le'Shaunda Jones' jumper with 1:04 left in the period. Carly Sales' layup at the 5:09 mark of the second quarter made it 24-11 in favor of the Lions, and Piedmont ran its lead up to 21 points (34-13) on a deep three from Mary Kate Rushton at the 2:06 mark. MU got four straight points from Alexia Hines to close out the first half for the 34-17 score at intermission.
 
Methodist was not able to cut into its deficit in the second half as Piedmontt's offense picked up the pace in the final 20 minutes.
 
Piedmont boasted a 51-39 edge on the glass with each team corralling 20 offensive rebounds. The Lions hit on 5-of-16 three-point attempts for the game, while MU was 0-for-13.
 
Shakira Boswell led the Monarchs with nine points, and Jasmine Canady added six points. Jalisia Campbell pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
Jones led all scorers with 14 points, and Taylor Swoszowski added 13 points. Rushton had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Sales chipped in six points and seven rebounds.
 
The Monarchs return to action on Wednesday at Averett beginning at 5:30 pm.