DEMOREST, Ga. -- Methodist's women's basketball team dropped a 71-48 decision to Huntingdon College on Friday afternoon in its first contest of the Cancer Awareness Tournament hosted by Piedmont at Cave Arena.
 
Kodi Centry and Tyzarea Alexander led MU (1-8) with eight points apiece, and Kayla Goldsmith added six. Centry also pulled down six rebounds and Alexander added a pair of steals for the Monarchs.
 
For Huntingdon (9-2), Juliette Harp posted a double-double of 23 points and 19 rebounds. T.I. Duncan added 17 points and six steals.
 
The Hawks scored the game's first eight points for an 8-0 lead, but MU cut its deficit to six points (11-5) on a jumper from Goldsmith with 4:38 left in the first period. Huntingdon used a 12-5 run to close out the period and take a 23-10 lead after 10 minutes of play.
 
Methodist trimmed its deficit to 11 points twice in the second period, the last time coming on a bucket from Kaven Joyner with 5:24 on the clock to make the score 27-16, but another strong run by HC, this time a 15-4 burst, gave the Hawks a 42-20 edge at the break.
 
As a team, the Hawks shot 40.3 percent (29-72) while MU shot 33.9 percent (19-56). Huntingdon also held a 49-36 advantage in rebounding and forced 21 turnovers from the Green and Gold.
 
The Monarchs are back on the court on Saturday against Piedmont beginning at 4 pm.