FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist women's basketball might have simply run out of time Wednesday night against visiting Greensboro College -- slashing a 24-point third-quarter deficit to just five points in the final minute of the game -- before the clock finally ended the rally, allowing the Pride to escape with a 74-65 USA South Athletic Conference victory.

The Monarchs were led by Tyzarea Alexander's game-high 19 points, a figure that tied her season high and fell one point shy of her career best.

THE ESSENTIALS
Records: Greensboro def. Methodist, 74-65
Records: Methodist 3-21 (2-13 USA South), Greensboro 14-9 (10-5)
Event: #BlockOutCancer Night, honoring Greensboro head coach Randy Tuggle
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist spent the majority of the game trailing by double digits -- down 13 after the opening quarter, by 15 at halftime and then again at the end of the third frame.
• Down 17 with 9:28 left in the game, the Monarchs began trimming that number with a pair of free throws from Kadie Snipes. A Katlin Kendrick steal turned into an Emily Ricks layup off a sneaky dish into the paint from Kendrick, further cutting into the Pride lead.
• A Jazanae Billings defensive board transitioned to an Alexander layup on Greensboro's next possession, followed by a block by Billings, a rebound off the block by Kendrick and a fast-break layup by Trinity Ross, moving the deficit into single digits for the first time since 1:45 to go in the second quarter.
• The teams traded missed on their next possessions, but eventually the seal was again broken on a long-range 3-pointer from Kadie Snipes after a Billings steal.
• The rally slowed, however, as the Pride elevated its cushion back into double figures, only to have the Monarchs heat up again as the game clock wound past the 2-minute mark.
• Another Snipes trey brought Methodist to within five, 70-65, with 39 seconds remaining, but the Pride hit 4-of-6 from the free-throw line in those final moments to outlast the charging Monarchs.

INSIDE THE BOX

• Methodist had a dominant night in close to the basket, scoring 40 of its 65 points from in the paint, while the Pride popped in only 26 points from close range.
• Greensboro lived off its first half shooting, in which it hit 46 percent of its shots. Methodist stepped up its defensive game in the second half, registering 12 steals (only 4 in the first half) and limiting the Pride to 21% from the floor over the final 30 minutes.
• The Monarchs also got more help from its bench than did the Pride, getting 37 points from their non-starters compared to just 19 by Greensboro substitutes.
• Though the deficit was in double figures for quite a while, the tide seemed to be turning within each 10-minute segment. Methodist was outscored by 13 points in the first quarter, by just two in the second, played all square with the Pride in the third, before outscoring Greensboro by six over the last 10 minutes.

SPECIAL NOTE
Wednesday night's game was billed as a #BlockOutCancer night in Riddle, supporting Greensboro's Coach Tuggle who is battling pancreatic cancer. All across the league USA South teams have been honoring Coach Tuggle and spreading awareness of his, and others', fight. Those that wish to join in support of Coach Tuggle can visit their GoFundMe website where donations continue to be accepted.

UP NEXT

• Methodist will close out its 2019-20 season on the road on Saturday, traveling to Raleigh, N.C., where it will take on host Meredith College.
• Greensboro heads to Raleigh on Saturday when it will face host William Peace University.