MARYVILLE, Tenn. — The Methodist women's basketball team fell to Ferrum, 60-53, in the quarterfinal round of the USA South Basketball Tournament at Maryville College on Thursday afternoon.

The Monarchs close out the season with a final record of 14-10, while Ferrum improves to 15-11 and moves on to the semifinal round. 

After the Monarchs took a three-point lead into halftime (29-26), FC scored the first four points of the second half to take a 30-29 lead on Lindsay Martin's layup at the 9:02 mark. Alexis Wallace gave MU the lead back, one of seven lead changes in the third quarter alone, with a short jumper on the ensuing possession and it stayed a one-possession game until Zarkia Mattox's layup with 2:28 left in the period made it 42-38 in favor of the Panthers. 

Monique Lofton quickly answered with a three for MU to make it 42-41, but Ferrum got a a trey from Kelli Mounce with 1:16 on the clock to make it 45-41 entering the final 10 minutes.

Ferrum opened up the fourth period on a 9-2 run, taking a 54-43 lead on Crawford's jump shot with 7:14 remaining. The Monarchs struggled to recover, shooting 4-of-18 in the final period as Ferrum was able to protect its lead down the stretch. 

The Monarchs finished at 33.3 percent shooting for the day (18-54), while Ferrum posted a robust 52.2 percent (24-46) mark from the field. MU had a 34-31 edge in rebounding and forced 20 turnovers while committing just 16. 

Wallace led MU with 12 points and nine rebounds. Lofton had 10 points, and Jalisia Campbell and Sydney Bryan scored eight points apiece. Allison Dones handed out four assists.

The Panthers were led by Mattox's double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds. Crawford had 10 points and seven boards.

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