FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Christian Sanders poured in 24 points but the Methodist women's basketball team dropped a 65-56 decision to Greensboro on Sunday afternoon at the March F. Riddle Center.
 
Sanders hit on 4 of 7 three-point attempts and 8 of 10 free-throw tries in scoring 20 or more points for the third time this season. Kaneya Chambers scored nine points and Jalisia Campbell pulled down 10 rebounds for the Monarchs (3-13, 1-4 USA South).
 
The Pride (8-9, 4-3) were led by Monica Smalls' 17 points and nine boards. Kylee Berry added 11 points and five rebounds, and Rasheika Gregory scored 10 points with seven rebounds and a pair of steals.
 
The Monarchs led 16-9 after the first quarter and held a lead as large as 10 points (19-9) in the second period before a 14-3 run by GC gave the Pride a 23-22 lead on Smalls' jumper with 4:17 on the clock. The lead changed hands six times in the last four minutes of the second quarter alone as GC was able to take a 33-28 lead into halftime.
 
Methodist managed to pull as close as a single point on two occasions late in the third quarter, the last coming on a pair of free throws by Breanna Evans with 1:27 left that made it 43-42 Greensboro. A three pointer by Marla Crawford as the third-quarter horn sounded allowed the Pride to take a 48-42 lead into the fourth.
 
Greensboro pushed its lead out to as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Monarchs trimmed their deficit to five points with under 30 seconds to play, but Greensboro made each of its final four free throws to pull out the win.
 
The Monarchs held Greensboro to 34.8 percent shooting (24-69) while hitting on 34.5 percent (19-55) of their own attempts. MU did knock down 42.9 percent (6-14) of its three-point attempts, while GC was good on just 6 of 22 (.273). Greensboro outrebounded the Monarchs 44-36 and committed 17 turnovers to 23 for the Green and Gold.
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Wednesday when they host Mary Baldwin at 5:30 pm.