WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Using a first-half barrage, Methodist women's basketball overpowered host Salem College, 58-47, in USA South Athletic Conference Tuesday evening.

After exiting the first quarter with a 16-8 lead, the Monarchs scored the first 13 points of the second period to take a commanding 29-8 lead en route to a 36-18 halftime score. Methodist continued its dominance in the third quarter by outscoring the Spirits, 12-5.

The win keeps the Monarchs in the picture for the conference tournament as they sit just a win behind Meredith College for the sixth spot in the East Division. Only the top six teams from each division qualify for the postseason.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Salem, 58-47
Records: Methodist 3-16 (2-9 USA South), Salem 0-18 (0-11)
Location: Varsity Gym; Winston-Salem, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs began each quarter with a bang to ultimately take control of this game. It all started in the first quarter when Methodist jumped out to a 9-2 lead. Emily Ricks earned a steal on the first possession of the game and Zytipha Joines found Tyzarea Alexander for the game's first points. The Monarchs never trailed from the opening tip.
• Trinity Ross opened the second quarter with a basket followed by two Jazanae Billings layups and a basket from Chakalyn Patterson to grow the Monarchs lead to 24-8. After two made Katlin Kendrick free throws, Joines, with an assist from Kadie Snipes, added the exclamation mark on the 13-0 run with a three-pointer to put Methodist up 29-8.
• The Monarchs did not take their foot off the gas in the second half either, opening the third quarter on a 9-2 run to own a 45-20 lead. Snipes' bucket from downtown gave Methodist its largest lead of the game, a 28-point, 51-23 advantage with under eight minutes to play in the final period.
• After going 9-for-51 shooting from the field through the first three quarters, Salem recovered by shooting 10-of-18 in the fourth.

STAT FACTS

• Alexander led the team with 10 points and nine boards, a rebound shy of her fourth double-double of the season. She also had two steals.
• It was a team effort in this game as Snipes, Kendrick, and Ross each scored eight points. Ross was second on the team with seven rebounds off the bench while Snipes had six boards to go along with two steals.
• Billings had a game-high four steals, plus seven points and three rebounds.
• In her second start of the season, Ricks finished with four points, four rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Her running mate in the post, Patterson had near-identical statlines of four points, five rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs have a break in their USA South schedule with a non-conference matchup against visiting Bob Jones University, Thursday, January 30 in the Riddle Center at 6 p.m.
• Still searching for its first win of the season, Salem is on the road against William Peace, Saturday, February 1 at 2 p.m.