ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The Methodist women's basketball team fell to N.C. Wesleyan, 60-48, in USA South play in Everett Gym on Wednesday night.
 
Kodi Centry recorded a team-high 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Kayla Goldsmith scored six points to go with a game-best 10 rebounds. Kaneya Chambers and Amber Scott each pitched in eight points off the bench.
 
The Battling Bishops (12-12, 9-6 USAS) shot just 2 of 20 from the field in the first quarter as the Monarchs (3-21, 3-12) held a 10-7 advantage after the first period. MU held NCWC without a field goal for exactly nine minutes as the home team also made just 3 of 10 free throws. The Monarchs led by five points on two occasions, including a 9-4 lead at the 2:48 mark on a fastbreak by Chambers.
 
Centry recorded the first point of the second quarter on a free throw before a trey by Keorra Taylor brought the deficit down to one point, 11-10, with 7:44 left in the half. Consecutive baskets by Scott and Chambers gave the Monarchs a seven-point advantage (20-13) at the 3:33 remaining in the second quarter, but nine-straight points gave the Bishops a 22-20 lead at the 1:16 mark. A pair of free throws by Lillian Geehring and a jumper from Goldsmith with 13 seconds in the period gave the Green and Gold a four-point lead as it went into halftime with a 26-23 advantage.
 
The Monarchs were held scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the second half as NCWC jumped to a 31-26 lead at the 5:46 mark of the third period. MU pulled within four points, but were ultimately outscored 17-6 in the third quarter.
 
N.C. Wesleyan took a 10-point lead in the early moments of the final period before a three-pointer by Kadie Snipes pulled the Monarchs back within seven, 42-35, with 9:38 left. The Monarchs would cut the lead to seven points on two more occasions but the Bishops pulled ahead by as many as 14 on their way to a 60-48 victory.
 
MU shot 34.8 percent (16-46) from the floor, including just 1-14 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Bishops made 29.5 percent (23-78) of their shots. The Monarchs outrebounded their opponent, 51-47, but the Bishops enjoyed a 22-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
For the Bishops, KeChea Parker finished with 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting to go with five rebounds and three steals. Kayla Johnson scored eight points in 14 minutes off the bench, while Nadiya Holley led the way with eight rebounds.
 
Methodist returns to action this Saturday, Feb. 10, for its 12th annual Play 4Kay game as it plays Greensboro beginning at 2 pm. The game is also the Monarchs regular-season finale.