DANVILLE, Va. -- The Methodist women's basketball team fell to Averett 83-53 in USA South play in the Grant Center on Wednesday evening.
 
Kodi Centry led the Monarchs (2-16, 2-7 USA South) with 11 points and 10 rebounds to post her first double-double of the season. Kayla Goldsmith added 10 points and four rebounds, while Kadie Snipes contributed nine points, three rebounds, a pair of steals and a blocked shot.
 
The Cougars (11-7, 8-2) opened the contest on a 14-2 cemented by a Samm Chandler three-pointer with 5:59 left in the first quarter. MU cut the lead to five after a jumper by Tyzarea Alexander and a triple from Snipes to work the score to 16-11 with 3:03 showing on the clock. Averett recorded the next six points before Kaneya Chambers and Kaven Joyner recorded back-to-back scores to move the score to 22-15 in favor of the Cougars. A trey from Kiara Smith gave AU a 10-point advantage (25-15) after the first quarter.
 
Averett used a 16-5 surge to assume a 21-point lead (41-20) in the second period at the 2:06 mark. The Monarchs were held without a field goal in the quarter until the 1:55 mark when Katlin Kendrick and Chambers each scored to bring the score to 41-24 with 1:06 left in the half before going to halftime trailing 43-24.
 
In the second half, Averett pulled ahead 53-31 with 6:32 on the clock before three-straight Kendrick free throws cut the lead to 19 points, 53-34. The Cougars pulled away afterwards on their way to an 83-53 victory.
 
For Averett, Chandler finished with a game-high 22 points to go with nine rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks. Amani Ajayi recorded a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Brooke Carthon also scored in double figures with 11 points.
 
The Monarchs shot 32.8 percent (19-58) from the floor, while converting on 68.4 percent (13-19) of free throws. Meanwhile, AU made 38.5 percent (30-78) from the field and outrebounded MU 51-43.
 
Methodist returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 27, as it hosts Meredith in the March F. Riddle Center beginning at 2 pm.