FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  After notching her first career double-double in the Monarchs' previous game, Tyzarea Alexander followed up that performance with another double-double, this time a 16-point, 11-rebound effort against visiting William Peace University. Unfortunately, it was not enough as the Pacers raced past Methodist, 73-56 in USA South Athletic Conference action Wednesday evening.

It was a tale of two halves as William Peace took a 45-23 lead into halftime. Exiting intermission, however, the Monarchs then outscored the Pacers (33-28) in the second half, including a 13-6 advantage in the fourth quarter.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: William Peace def. Methodist, 73-56
Records: Methodist 1-6 (0-1 USA South), William Peace 7-3 (2-0)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• At one point leading by as many as 28 points, the Pacers lead was cut to 18 early in the fourth quarter following a steal and a bucket from LeTrice Pearson, the stamp on a 6-0 Methodist run.
• Trinity Ross, making her first action on the court this season, was responsible for five straight points for the Monarchs late in the fourth, further cutting the William Peace lead to 71-56.
• Following the Pacers attaining their largest lead of the game, a 65-37 advantage late in the third quarter, Jazanae Billings and Katlin Kendrick connected on consecutive shots from downtown to eat into the large deficit.
• William Peace shot a ridiculous 10-of-16 (63 percent) from the field with four made three-pointers to outscore the Monarchs 25-10 in the second quarter, using an 11-0 run to effectively blow the game wide open.
• The Pacers scored the first 11 points of the game before the Monarchs recovered to cut the first quarter deficit to 20-13.

STAT FACTS

• The advantage, and arguably the difference in the game, was the Pacers' transition offense. William Peace outscored Methodist 26-3 in fastbreak points and 28-12 in points off of turnovers. By halftime, the Pacers had 18 fast break points and 20 points off of turnovers.
• Pearson had 12 points off the bench with a team-high three steals. She was the only other Monarch in double digits.
• Six of Alexander's 11 boards were offensive rebounds. Both of those tallies are new career-bests. She also recorded one thunderous block that had the crowd on its feet in the fourth quarter.
• Chakalyn Patterson was a force in the final frame, tallying six rebounds, including four offensive boards. Patterson finished with seven boards, four points, and three assists, which tied for the team-high.
• The Pacers' Mikayla Ray entered the game averaging over 16 points per game but the Monarchs' held her to only six points, her lowest scoring output through 10 games. Previously, Ray had managed to score at least 10 points in every game so far and she was three days removed from scoring 25 against Mary Baldwin.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs host non-conference foe Hollins University in the Riddle Center December 12 at 7 p.m.
• William Peace takes a break from its conference slate to host Guilford College December 14 at 2 p.m.