FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist women's basketball team fell 53-50 to Ferrum in the Riddle Center on Wednesday evening
 
The Monarchs (6-17, 4-8) were led offensively by Jalisia Campbell who finished with 15 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field. She also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while adding a pair of assists and a steal. Christian Sanders recorded 14 points in 22 minutes and also collected a pair of steals on the night.
 
For the Panthers (16-7, 11-1), Zarkia Mattox led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds to post her 12th double-double of the season. She also registered five steals in the win. Erin March also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three blocks. Brooke Lewis added 10 rebounds and six points on the night.
 
MU jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter after hitting five of its first seven shots and forcing three turnovers early on. Ferrum posted an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take its first lead of the night, before a free throw from Sanders tied the game, 13-13, at the end of the first period.
 
The second quarter started with each side exchanging scores before a pair of layups from Kelsey Mosley and two free throws from Kelli Mounce gave the Panthers a five points lead (24-19) with three and a half minutes left in the half. Ferrum made just one shot from the field in the remainder of the period, but converted on 5 of 6 free throws to go into the break with a seven point lead, 31-24.
 
Sanders opened the second stanza with a three-pointer to cut the lead to four points before each side exchanged scores for the next few minutes. The Panthers opened up a 10-point lead before the Monarchs ended the third quarter with a 10-4 run, including the final six points of the quarter, and trailed by just four points (45-41) entering the final period.
 
After a free throw by Amber Scott cut the lead to three points (45-42), the Panthers posted consecutive lay ups to work the lead back up to seven points. The Monarchs tallied the next eight points, cemented by a layup from Kaneya Chambers, and took a one point lead (50-49), which was their first lead since midway through the first quarter. A layup by Lewis gave Ferrum the lead and held on for the victory, 53-50.
 
The Monarchs shot 36.4 percent (20-55) from the floor, while the Panthers hit on 36.0 percent (18-50) of their shots. FC finished 14-15 (.933) from the free-throw line to compare with MU, which ended the night just 8-19 (.421). The Panthers held a 39-32 edge in rebounding, while the Monarchs forced 21 turnovers compared to allowing 15.
 
Additionally, Sydney Bryan finished with four points, six rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal, while Allison Dones posted six points with three assists and two steals for the Monarchs.
 
Methodist returns to action for its annual Play 4Kay game on Saturday, Feb. 21, against William Peace beginning at 4 pm.