FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Tyzarea Alexander and Zytipha Joines scored 17 and 12 points, respectively, but it was Meredith College that walked away from the Riddle Center with a 68-57 win over the Monarchs in women's basketball Tuesday evening in USA South Athletic Conference action.

Alexander scored in double-digits for the ninth time this season and was a basket away from tying her season-high (19). Meanwhile for Joines, 12 points marks a career-high for the freshman as she shot three-of-eight from the field and two-of-four from deep.

The Monarchs did erupt for 24 points in the fourth quarter but that was stymied by a 22-point outing in the final period by the Avenging Angels.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Meredith def. Methodist, 68-57
Records: Methodist 2-13 (1-6 USA South), Meredith 6-10 (2-6)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• On three separate occasions in the second half, the Monarchs were able to cut the deficit to under double-digits but the Avenging Angels answered with timely baskets each time to balloon the lead back over 10 points. For every Alexander, Joines, and Jazanae Billings score, there was a Meredith answer.
• The closest Methodist came in the final half was on an old-fashioned three-point play from Alexander that made it a 46-38 game at the nine-minute mark of the final stanza.
• Katlin Kendrick opened the game scoring or assisting on the first three buckets. Kendrick found Alexander in the paint and then found Joines behind the arc to take an early 5-4 lead. A driving layup from Kendrick extended that lead to 7-4. The Monarchs led for over five minutes in the quarter.
• Kate Perko made the first of her eight baskets with 2:26 left on the clock in the first. Her layup was part of an 11-0 Meredith run as the Avenging Angels took a 17-9 lead into the second quarter and never trailed afterwards.
• Twice, Kadie Snipes cut the Methodist deficit to seven points in the second but Meredith eventually found themselves sporting a 14-point advantage in the period en route to a 33-23 halftime lead.

STAT FACTS

• Despite Meredith committed more turnovers (20) than Methodist (15), the Avenging Angels had a 20-9 advantage in points off of turnovers. That was a theme as the Monarchs corralled 13 offensive boards to Meredith's seven but the Avenging Angels earned 12 second chance points, compared to just five such points for Methodist.
• Snipes and Chakalyn Patterson each finished with a game-high six rebounds. Snipes scored eight points and Patterson added six points and three assists.
• Kendrick's five assists were a game-high and she scored four points.
• Perko put up a 20-20 piece to lead the Avenging Angels to victory. She finished with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs are home January 18 against conference foe North Carolina Wesleyan at 2 p.m. The game on Saturday will also be Alumni Day/Camper Appreciation Day.
• Meredith takes on visiting conference opponent Salem College January 18 at 2 p.m.