FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist women's basketball team dropped a 67-53 contest to Salem in the March F. Riddle Center on Sunday afternoon.
 
Kayla Goldsmith led the Monarchs (2-15, 2-6) with 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks, while Kadie Snipes contributed eight points. Kodi Centry pulled down eight rebounds and scored five. Kaneya Chambers grabbed six boards and also scored five points. Also, Amber Scott scored six points in 11 minutes off the bench.
 
The Spirits (7-10, 5-5 USA South) scored the first two baskets of the game and assumed a 5-0 lead with 8:58 left in the quarter. Both sides exchanged scores before a layup by Hannah McBride gave SC a five-point advantage (13-8) with 3:24 showing on the clock. A layup by Chambers shortened the deficit, but Tarryn Johnson hit two free throws to give Salem a 15-10 lead at the end of the first.
 
Snipes drained a pair of treys early in the second period to tie the score, 16-16, with 7:42 remaining in the half. The Spirits responded with a triple of their own before consecutive baskets from the Monarchs gave MU its first lead of the contest, 20-19, with 6:42 left in the second quarter. Each side traded baskets until a three-pointer by Tamara Blanton put SC up by three as it went to halftime with a 28-26 lead.
 
After the recess, the Monarchs tied to game for a sixth time before the Spirits edged out a five-point advantage (35-30) with 5:24 showing on the clock. After a three by Katlin Kendrick and a layup by Scott, Kendrick scored again as the Monarchs regained the lead, 39-38, with 3:33 left in the period. SC closed out the quarter on an 11-2 run and took a 48-42 lead into the final period.
 
A layup by MiKayla Seivers put the Spirits on top by eight points, followed by a three-point play by Goldsmith to trim the deficit to five points (52-47) at the 5:39 mark before Salem pulled away for a 67-53 win.
 
Sabrina Shepherd led the Spirits with 15 points and seven rebounds. McBride contributed 12 points, four rebounds and seven steals while Seivers had 10 points, five rebounds and three steals and Dominque Cross secured 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.
 
Methodist shot 41.2 percent (21-51), for the game, while Salem shot 39.1 percent (25-64) on the day. Salem outrebounded MU 41-34.
 
Methodist returns to action as it travels to face Averett on Jan. 24, at 7:30 pm.