ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  Unable to overcome a couple of scoring slumps Saturday at Everett Gymnasium, Methodist University's women's basketball team eventually succumbed to host North Carolina Wesleyan University, 93-44, in USA South Athletic Conference action.

The Monarchs surrendered a 9-0 run to the Bishops at the start of the game then equaled that string with another 9-0 drought at the beginning of the third quarter.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: N.C. Wesleyan def. Methodist, 93-44
Records: Methodist 1-8 (0-2 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 6-2 (2-0)
Location: Don Scalf Court at Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• While Methodist struggled from the floor in the opening quarter, NCW filled the bucket on the way to a 24-11 advantage after 10 minutes.
• During that span the Bishops were 9-of-15 (60%) overall, including 4-of-7 (57%) from behind the arc, overpowering a Methodist offense that hit just five of its 17 attempts (29%).
• Though the Monarchs created more pressure at the arc in the second frame, resulting in a 0-for-5 quarter from long range by the Bishops, NWC was still able to extend its lead, twice leading by 21 points before ending the half with that exact advantage (48-27).
• A cold spell coming out of the halftime recess, finally broken by Tyzarea Alexander's layup nearly five minutes into the third quarter, dispelled any comeback hopes for the Monarchs.

DATA POINTS

• Alexander led the Monarchs in scoring with 12 points, adding in 5 rebounds and 1 assist to her afternoon.
• Off the rim, Methodist's Destiny Hardin tied for game-high honors with nine rebounds and chipped in with four points.
• On the mark of late – coming off a career-best 19 points in her last game – Kadie Snipes was limited to a second-quarter layup before finding the range in the final quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to finish her outing with eight points.
• The Bishops concluded the afternoon shooting 50% from the floor, and accumulated game-changing advantages in rebounds (47-37), steals (12-1) and points off turnovers (31-8).
• The Monarchs visited the free-throw line just nine times compared to the 25 opportunities presented to the home team.
• Free throws weren't the game-breaker, though, as Methodist's chilly afternoon shooting (28%), 25 turnovers and the rebounding deficit were major contributors in the 49-point defeat.

UP NEXT

• Methodist hosts Salem College Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in a conference match-up at the Riddle Center.
• NCW travels to Averett University for a league game Wednesday afternoon.