FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Down early Wednesday afternoon against visiting Salem College, Methodist methodically gained ground on the Spirits, eventually earning a lead that would then not be relinquished after a fast break layup from Zytipha Joines beat the second quarter buzzer. The Monarchs would build that slim halftime lead into a 63-52 USA South Athletic Conference women's basketball victory over the Spirits.

Destiny Hardin -- whose block in the defensive end initiated the play that ended with Joiner's layup -- posted a career-best 21 points in the victory, just missing the double-double after pulling down nine rebounds.

Notching a double-double for Methodist was Tyzarea Alexander who came away with 10 rebounds while adding 16 points.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Salem, 63-52
Records: Methodist 2-8 (1-2 USA South), Salem 0-7 (0-2)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Tied for the first time in the game at 30-30 in the waning moments of the second quarter, the Monarch received the boost it needed with Hardin's block of an Alize Brooks layup, pulling down the rebound herself before dishing to Katlin Kendrick who skirted a defender before finding Joines under the hoop for the game-changing layup.
• Salem roared out of the gate, opening the afternoon on a 6-0 run before finishing the first quarter with a 12-8 advantage. The Spirits built their lead to seven on three different occasions during second-quarter action.
• The spark that led to the Joines layup began with Salem ahead 28-24. Over the final 2 minutes and 37 seconds of the frame the momentum flipped toward the Methodist bench as it closed on an 8-2 run to enter recess leading 32-30.
• Salem knotted the game at 32-32 with an early third-quarter jumper but a Hardin layup after a LeTrice Pearson steal pushed the Monarchs back in front, 34-32. Three-pointers later in the quarter from Jazanae Billings and Kadie Snipe pushed the lead higher, reaching a 13-point cushion three times in the final quarter.

DATA POINTS

• Free throws were a certain factor in the victory for Methodist as it went to the line 28 times, sinking 21 of those attempts, compared to only a 4-for-8 afternoon at the stripe for Salem.
• Hardin and Alexander weren't alone in reaching double-digits in scoring for the Monarchs as Joines finished with a career-best 11 points in the victory.
• Alexander and Hardin led a powerful afternoon under the rim for Methodist, helping the team forge a 57-45 edge in rebounding. Snipes and Trinity Ross each came away with eight boards apiece, and 10 different Monarchs spirited away at least one rebound.
• Alexander had one of best career days at the free-throw line, sinking eight of her nine attempts from the charity stripe.
• Pearson continues to be a tough defender, finishing Wednesday with four steals, upping her team-leading total to 15.
• Brooks led Salem in scoring with a game-best 22, many of which came on quick-outlet transitional break-outs that turned into layups.

NEXT UP

• The Monarchs return from the holiday break and head to Greensboro, N.C., on December 30 for a non-conference outing against host Guilford College.
• Salem, too, plays on the road on Dec. 30, heading to Hollins University for a non-league contest.