MISENHEIMER, N.C. -- The Methodist women's basketball team fell at Pfeiffer 87-59 on Sunday afternoon inside Merner Gym.
 
The Falcons (7-1) used a strong first half to take an early lead and never let up. Pfeiffer held the Monarchs (1-11) to 22 first-half points in building a 50-22 lead after 20 minutes of play. The two teams were evenly matched in the second half; each scoring 37 points.
 
Pfeiffer scored the game's first seven points and extended to a 12-point lead at 16-4 on Aliyah Davis' jumper with 3:50 left to play in the opening period. Five straight points from the Monarchs pulled the Green & Gold back within seven points at 16-9, but Pfeiffer answered with seven straight points before Kaneya Chambers scored for MU with 32 seconds left in the quarter to make it 23-11 in favor of the Falcons after 10 minutes of play.
 
The home team opened the second quarter with 10 straight points to go up 33-11 and seize control of the contest.
 
Christian Sanders led the Monarchs with 11 points, and Kayla Goldsmith added 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Keltsy Hardee had nine points and five boards, and Katlin Kendrick contributed seven points, five assists and three boards.
 
Sydni Bickford led the Falcons with 20 points, including 5 of 11 shooting from long range. Aaliyah May and Regan Allen each scored 11 points, and Grayson Scott contributed eight points and six boards.
 
Methodist shot 37.7 percent (23-61) as a team, while Pfeiffer shot 40.2 percent (35-87), including a 10 for 22 (.455) mark from three-point range. The Falcons also boasted a 57-42 edge on the glass and were +12 in turnover margin.
 
Methodist plays host to Averett on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 pm.