ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  Methodist shot a better game from the field, equaled Hollins University in rebounding, and picked up more points from its bench Sunday afternoon at the Jean Edge Classic. But free throws down the stretch, a solid game from behind the arc, and a decided advantage in points off turnovers allowed Hollins to hold off the Monarchs for a 72-64 non-conference victory in the Classic hosted by N.C. Wesleyan College.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Hollins def. Methodist, 72-64
Records: Methodist 1-2, Hollins 2-2
Event: 2018 Jean Edge Classic
Location: Everett Gym, N.C. Wesleyan College; Rocky Mount, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Clinging to a two-point lead, Hollins converted 7-of-10 free throws in the final 100 seconds to hold off Methodist.
• The Monarchs had battled back from an eight-point halftime deficit, 37-29, with a nine-point run coming out of the break to take their first lead since the 4:59 mark of the first quarter.
• Kodi Centry hit a short jumper to kick off the run, but Logan Lee took over from there, netting the next nine points off a pair of jumpers sandwiched around a 3-pointer.
• By the time the third session had ended, Methodist had edged itself in front, 54-52, on a pair of Kayla Goldsmith free throws in the final seconds of the frame.
• Hollins wrested back the lead, however, with a six-point spurt that began the fourth quarter, and then maintained an advantage throughout the final session.
• Centry converted the second of a two-shot opportunity at the free throw line to draw the Monarchs to with two, 65-63, at the 2:02 mark. But Hollins, which had been shooting 53 percent (7-of-13) from the stripe leading up to the final minutes, finally found the range and held off Methodist's final challenge.
• Early action in the contest see-sawed back and forth with five lead changes in the first quarter and solid play by both teams in the second. But Hollins was hitting from long range with five 3-pointers, compared to just one by the Monarchs, during the opening 20 minutes to forge its halftime advantage.

BOX FAX

• Another jumper after Hollins had tied the score at 38-38 capped Lee's seven-point spurt in the third quarter. Those nine points were her only points of the game.
• Goldsmith led Methodist with 16 points and added three rebounds, while Centry also cracked double-digits, scoring 13.
• Centry and Tyzarea Alexander each came down with five rebounds to lead Methodist on the glass.
• Alexander chipped in with seven points, and Kadie Snipes chimed in with nine, including hitting 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
• The Methodist bench outscored the Hollins non-starters by a 22-14 edge.
• Hollins turned 20 turnovers into 27 points.
• Hollins was paced by Kayla Surles who led all scorers with 26 points, going 7-for-11 from long range. Yasmine Taylor scored 11 and finished with a game-best eight rebounds.

UP NEXT
Methodist heads back into action Tuesday, with a non-conference trip to Lynchburg, Virginia, where the Monarchs will take on host Randolph College at 6 p.m.