FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Logan Lee was able to get off a jumper as time expired, but her hurried shot was off the mark and allowed visiting Pfeiffer University to escape with a 55-54 victory over Methodist in USA South Athletic Conference women's basketball action Wednesday evening.

The Monarchs sported a seven-point, 42-35 advantage entering the fourth quarter but the Falcons used a late 10-0 run to take a 51-48 lead, and the win, ultimately.

Although there were five lead changes and eight tie scores, Methodist led for the majority of the game, including for more than 15 minutes of the second half.

Kayla Goldsmith was a big reason for that as she was a monster on both ends of the floor. Goldsmith had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 2 steals while leading the team in all four categories.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Pfeiffer def. Methodist, 55-54
Records: Methodist 4-15 (2-9 USA South), Pfeiffer 8-7 (5-6)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the score at 55-54, the fans in Riddle Center erupted when the Monarchs forced a turnover on Brina Bentley, the inbounder with six seconds remaining. However, Kadie Snipes was unable to get a good look at the basket and she was forced to chuck up a deep, contested three with less than three seconds left. Kortni Pinion snagged the defensive rebound.
• Fortunately, Methodist was granted a reprieve almost immediately. Pinion was called for a travel as she corralled the rebound. It was Monarchs' ball with 1.7 seconds left but Logan Lee was unable to make the baseline jumper.
• With 25 seconds left, Methodist began intentionally fouling. The Falcons went four-of-four from the line but Lee managed to make clutch layups to cut the deficit from three to one, each time afterwards.
• Pfeiffer has Bentley to thank for that game-defining 10-0 fourth quarter run. Bentley scored eight of her 23 points in that 3:16 of time. Meanwhile, the Monarchs miscues came at the worst time with five turnovers and just one shot attempted during the run.
• Chandler True's made three-pointer kicked off a fantastic third quarter for Methodist as the Monarchs outscored the Falcons, 13-5 in the period. Pfeiffer was held to 11 percent shooting from the field, going two-of-18 in the quarter. With the score tied at 34, Methodist rattled off an 8-0 run that ignited a boisterous crowd in attendance.
• The Falcons sported a slight 30-29 halftime advantage, thanks in part to Syndi Bickford's sharpshooting. Bickford was two-of-five from deep in the first half as Bickford and Bentley combined for 16. The Monarchs made adjustments in the second half, holding Bickford to 0-9 from the field, including 0-7 from behind the arc. Tyzarea Alexander logged 10 of her 12 total points in the first half to keep Methodist within one.

STAT FACTS

• Goldsmith recorded her second double-double of the season. She is throwing a block party and all of her opponents have been invited as she now has 13 blocks in the last three games. She tied her career-high for blocks in a game after setting it just two games ago. She is now fourth in the conference in total blocks for the year.
• Kodi Centry continues her fantastic play as a reserve for the Monarchs. She provided nine points, seven boards, and six assists off the bench. The six assists was the most in the game, most in her career, and she was only one shy of tying the season-high for the team. She also had a block.
• Alexander had five boards, three assists, and a steal to go with her 12 points. Lee had six points and five rebounds.
• For the fourth game this season, this Monarch defense has held their opponent to under 30 percent shooting from the field.

PFEIFFER PFEEL

• Bentley had game-high totals of 23 points and 12 rebounds. She was 10-of-15 from the field.
• A'Maya Clain had a balanced diet of nine points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The latter two being team-highs. Mya Johnson provided the Falcons with eight points, six boards, and two blocks.

UP NEXT

• Methodist will travel to Staunton, Va. to play Mary Baldwin on Saturday at 2 p.m.
• Pfeiffer is on the road to play N.C. Wesleyan Saturday at 2 p.m.