FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Methodist women's basketball team defeated N.C. Wesleyan, 71-48, on Saturday afternoon at the Riddle Center in its annual Play 4Kay breast cancer awareness game.

The Monarchs (13-9, 8-6 USA South) forced more turnovers (25) than it allowed made shots (17) and held the Battling Bishops (9-16, 6-10) to 25.8 percent shooting (17-66) on the day. 

Leading 10-8 midway through the first quarter, the Monarchs used a 15-2 run capped by an Ayanna Pegues jump shot for a 25-10 lead with 6:33 left in the second quarter. Shekinah Huggins converted off an offensive rebound for NCWC to make it 25-12, but the Monarchs strung together a 15-7 run to take their largest lead of the first half, 21 points at 40-19, en route to a 41-21 lead at the break.

The Monarchs outscored the Bishops, 10-8, in a low-scoring third quarter, the lead never dropping below 21 points. Methodist stretched its lead out to as many as 26 in the fourth quarter in cruising to the win.

Methodist out rebounded N.C. Wesleyan, 51-40, shot 21-of-37 from the line to the Bishops' 14-of-26 mark. 

Peruse led all scorers with 15 points and added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Jasmine Canady had nine points, and Lillian Geerhing chipped in seven as 13 different players made the scoring column. Jalisia Campbell pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, and Shakira Boswell chipped in seven points and six boards.

The Bishops were led by KeChae Parker's 14 points. She also totaled six rebounds and a pair of steals. Nadia Holley had eight points, and Huggins grabbed a team-best nine rebounds.

The Monarchs close out the regular season on Sunday at 2:00 pm against Greensboro. 

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