WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  Led by Kayla Goldsmith's career-best 15 rebounds, Methodist outdid host Salem College on the glass but lost the battle on the scoreboard as the Spirits earned a 78-66 USA South Athletic Conference victory in women's basketball action Wednesday evening.

Salem and Methodist traded the lead three times across the initial seven minutes of the contest. The Spirits took the lead for good, however, on a put-back from Chaniece Moss with 2:38 left in the opening quarter.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Salem def. Methodist, 78-66
Records: Methodist 3-13 (1-7 USA South), Salem 1-15 (1-7)
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs trailed only by four points, 18-14, after the first quarter, but struggled mightily from the floor in the second, hitting just three of 17 shots (18 percent), which allowed Salem to extend its advantage to 13 points, at 33-20, entering the halftime break.
• That lead ballooned to 21 points, 48-27, within the opening four minutes of the third quarter as the Spirits opened the frame on a 15-7 tear.
• That was the low point, though, for Methodist as it inched, whittled and trimmed the deficit across the remaining minutes of the third quarter and opening minutes of the fourth. When Kadie Snipes dropped in a net-burning rainbow 3-pointer from the right wing it pulled the Monarchs to within four, 53-49, with most of the final quarter to play.
• Salem responded with a 7-2 run that dulled the Methodist momentum, and then finished off the quarter building to the final 12-point margin.

BOX IT UP

• Goldsmith recorded her first double-double of the season, adding 14 points to her 15-rebound night. Ten of her points and 10 rebounds came in the second half while the Monarchs were charging their way back into the game.
• Kaneya Chambers worked well inside and out in the loss, hitting a trio of 3-pointers along with three more buckets from in close to finish with a team-high 16 points. The senior also pulled down three rebounds to help the Monarchs finish with a 50-39 edge off the glass.
• Kodi Centry also reached double-figures in scoring, dropping in 11 and just missing her own double-double with nine rebounds.
• Turnovers have been a factor across the season so far, and Wednesday followed that trend. Methodist surrendered possession 25 times and Salem capitalized on those turnovers to the tune of 23 points.
• Tamara Blanton and Makalla Burnette led a quartet of Spirits into double-digits on the scoresheet. Blanton finished with 27 and Burnette chimed in with 17.
• Salem received a double-double from Lauren Privette who scored 10 points and came away with 10 boards.

NEXT UP

• Methodist entertains Averett University Saturday in a 4 p.m. league contest in the Riddle Center.
• Salem makes the short trip to Raleigh, N.C., for a conference clash at William Peace University.