FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Visiting Hollins (Va.) University narrowly escaped the Riddle Center with a 58-54 victory over Methodist women's basketball in non-conference action Thursday evening.
Kadie Snipes scored a career-high 19 points on a very tidy nine shots. She was five-of-nine from downtown plus a perfect four-for-four from the charity stripe while adding eight rebounds. She was joined in double digits by
Tyzarea Alexander, who was two rebounds shy of her third consecutive double-double. Alexander finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, two steals, plus a block.
The Monarchs were tied or in the lead for more than 16 minutes in the second half and led by as many as eight points. There was only one lead change in the final two quarters, with Hollins retaking the lead for good with a three-pointer to go up 51-49.
Trailing 56-54 with six seconds remaining, the Monarchs had a chance to tie the game but missed both free throws.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Hollins def. Methodist, 58-54
Records: Methodist 1-7, Hollins 6-3
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After Katlin Kendrick made one of her two free throws to break a 48-48 tie, Hollins went on a 8-2 run to take (and hold) the lead for the final time. Serena Lytton connected from behind the arc twice in the run, the first trey gave Hollins its first lead in the quarter and the second three gave Hollins a five-point, 56-51 lead with under two minutes to play.
- Despite going 0-for-3 from the field in the final 90 seconds, the Monarchs clawed back using the charity stripe. Snipes made both of her free throws to make it a three point game and LeTrice Pearson made one-of-two to cut the score to 56-54.
- With under 10 seconds left, Alexander pulled up for the game-tying bucket but it was no good. Destiny Hardin earned the rebound on a jump ball to give the Monarchs a second chance. Alexander drew a foul on the inbounds pass but was unable to make the free throws to tie. There was another jump ball following the second miss but this time possession was awarded to Hollins.
- Twice earlier in the quarter, Hollins managed to cut the deficit to three points but Alexander answered with a bucket both times. However, Hollins did manage to tie the game eventually (48-48) with the steal and basket by Kayla Surles.
- Snipes opened the second half with consecutive threes to give Methodist their largest lead of the night, a 36-28 advantage. Hollins answered with a 10-2 run to tie before Alexander's made free throw gave the Monarchs the one-point, 39-38 edge heading into the final frame.
- Snipes connected from downtown three times in the first half, helping to keep the game close before her third three gave Methodist a five-point lead, their largest of the first half.
STAT FACTS
- Hardin was close to earning her second career double-double, ending the night with eight points on three-of-four shooting, eight rebounds, plus two assists and two steals.
- Kendrick tied her career-high with six assists. She also added three rebounds and two steals.
- In her first start, Zytipha Joines finished with eight points.
- Pearson had five points, five rebounds, and a team-high three steals off the bench.
- After getting outrebounded in four of their first five games, the Monarchs have outdone their opponents on the glass for the third consecutive game. Methodist finished with a strong 45-34 advantage off the rim Thursday.
- The Monarchs held Hollins to 1-of-12 shooting from deep over the first 20 minutes, but Hollins got hot in the second half, going 5-of-14, using the three-ball to fuel its comeback.
- Kayla Surles finished with a game-high 24 points and six assists to lead Hollins.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs are on the road for a December 14 date against host N.C. Wesleyan in USA South Athletic Conference action. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
