DANVILLE, Va. -- Despite 22 points and 11 rebounds from Alexis Wallace, the Methodist women's basketball team dropped a 66-63 contest at Averett on Wednesday night.
 
The Monarchs (12-9, 7-6 USA South) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to take a fourth-quarter lead, but the Cougars (12-11, 7-7) were able to hold off MU down the stretch.
 
Averett expanded on a 32-31 lead at intermission to 45-35 midway through the third quarter on Samm Chandler's jump shot which capped a 13-4 burst. Methodist battled back and used a 15-4 run that closed out the third period and began the fourth to take a 50-49 lead with 6:29 to play on a Wallace three pointer.
 
After the Cougars wrestled away the lead, Wallace once again tied the game (52-52) with a jump shot at the 5:05 mark. Oneka Jones answered with a jumper for AU at 4:51 for a 54-52 lead that AU would not relinquish.
 
The Monarchs made it interesting in the game's final moments. Trailing by five points (65-60) with under 20 seconds to play, Alexia Hines nailed a three with nine seconds on the clock to pull MU within a deuce (65-63). Sarena Pillow came up with a steal for the Green and Gold, but her potential game-tying jumper was off the mark, and Ariana Covington split a pair of free throws with a second remaining to seal the game.
 
Wallace was 9-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line in scoring her 22 points. Ayanna Pegues added nine points, and Jasmine Canady chipped in eight points. Hines finished with seven points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
 
Chandler led all scorers with 26 points and added 11 boards, four steals and three assists. Jackie Myers had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars.
 
The Monarchs will now host N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday at 2:00 pm in their annual Play 4Kay game.