Women's Basketball | 5/20/2019 1:46:00 PM

SIGNATURE WIN: Late in the non-conference schedule, the Monarchs strung together arguably their best quarter of the season in the 75-70 comeback victory against The Apprentice School. Methodist had trailed by eight points, 52-44 entering the final frame. The Monarchs ignited for 31 points in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Builders 31-18 for the win. Methodist did not even get its first lead until the third quarter and they held that lead for only 21 seconds. Its second lead came with under four minutes remaining in the game and the lead would change hands three more times afterwards. Methodist got great contributions from its bench in the form of 18 fourth-quarter points and a high-pressure defense resulting in 12 points off turnovers in the final period. Tyzarea Alexander played her best game of the season, almost notching a triple-double. She had 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists -- all season-highs at the time. Those rebound and assist figures still stand as her season-bests.

SEASON NOTES: The Monarchs were a tougher team than their 5-20 overall record might suggest … Their defense was stingy as Methodist was top-five in the conference in field goal percentage allowed, holding opponents to 34.6 percent shooting … That tough defense caused all types of issues for division leaders like Averett, Mary Baldwin, and William Peace … There is no better evidence of home-field advantage existing than the Monarchs' 4-5 record in the Riddle Center … Kayla Goldsmith led the team with 10.4 points per game and 1.6 blocks per game … She finished fifth in the conference with 39 blocks … Logan Lee averaged 10 points a game and led the team in assists and steals with 2.9 and one, respectively … Kodi Centry was the team's leading rebounder with six a game.

POSTSEASON NOTES:
USA South All-Sportsmanship Team: Logan Lee

LOOKING AHEAD: The future is as bright as ever for Head Coach Cheryl McNair and the Monarchs. McNair only loses one player to graduation -- Kaneya Chambers -- and the rest of the roster are underclassmen. This season, you could already see the potential framework of a good Methodist team for next season, headlined by Goldsmith and Centry. Tyzarea Alexander made a big leap from year one to year two, more than doubling her point, rebound, and assist averages. A lot was asked of from freshmen like Logan Lee, Chandler True and Kierra Beasley, but the promise the freshmen showed suggests that their sophomore seasons will be fruitful. Especially Lee, as she was tasked with the role of running point while also leading the Monarchs in minutes per game. It was a lot of responsibility on her shoulders but she showed great poise and a good feel for the game in year one, so expect the game to slow down even further for her in the very near future.