ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. Methodist received the bulk of its offense Wednesday night from
Logan Lee,
Kodi Centry and
Kayla Goldsmith, with each reaching double figures in scoring. But the visiting Monarchs saw a narrow halftime deficit evolve into a 73-54 victory for host North Carolina Wesleyan College in USA South Athletic Conference women's basketball action.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 73-54
Records: Methodist 3-10 (1-4 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 6-9 (4-2)
Location: Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs nearly erased a seven-point first quarter deficit with a strong second frame, tilting momentum their way heading into the halftime break trailing by just a 32-39 margin.
- Methodist outscored the Battling Bishops, 18-14, in the second quarter with Centry knocking team eight of the Monarchs' points.
- The rally began with NCW leading 24-15. Centry hit consecutive layups sandwiched around a Tyzarea Alexander defensive rebound. Two more points in the rally came from Goldsmith at the free-throw stripe, followed by a Chandler True defensive board that transitioned into a Lee layup to pull Methodist to within three, at 26-23.
- N.C. Wesleyan would pick up a bucket to hesitantly stall Methodist's comeback, only to have Kaneya Chambers come up with a steal and then an assist on a Goldsmith layup that brought the visitors back to within three.
- Lee's layup at the 2:37 mark of the quarter narrowed the gap to just a point, 28-27, but the Bishops would tentatively escape the remaining minutes in the quarter to tote that slim 32-29 advantage into recess.
- The game turned, however, in the next 10-minute stanza as the home team rolled out its best quarter, racing away to an 18-point advantage while outscoring Methodist 27-12 in the frame.
- The Monarchs pulled within 11 points, twice, in the fourth quarter but were not able to find the magic touch that they'd displayed earlier in that solid second quarter.
LOOK INSIDE THE BOX
- Lee's 18 points came within a hair of her career best (19), while Centry's 16 points were a season high. Combined with Goldsmith's 12 points, the trio accounted for 46 of the team's 54 points.
- Alexander collected a team best nine rebounds, tying her single-game career high.
- N.C. Wesleyan was led by Kayla Johnson's game-high 22 points.
- Only one other Bishop, Javana Jones, reached double figures (12 points), but the home team spread the rest of the wealth as nine others scored at least two points and combined to net 39 in helping Johnson and Jones move the scoreboard lights.
- Turnovers were a bit of an issue for the Monarchs as they committed 23 in the game. NCW took advantage of those opportunities, finishing the evening with 29 points from turnovers.
NEXT UP
- The Monarchs play on their home court at the Riddle Center in their next game, squaring off Saturday at 2 p.m. against visiting Mary Baldwin University.
- The Battling Bishops host Averett University Saturday, also in a 2 p.m. contest.