MISENHEIMER, N.C.   The middle 20 minutes of action Sunday afternoon pushed visiting Methodist University into a deficit it was not able to completely overcome in a 60-49 women's basketball loss to host Pfeiffer University in USA South Athletic Conference action at Merner Gym.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Pfeiffer def. Methodist, 60-49
Records: Methodist 0-2 (0-2 USA South), Pfieffer 2-0 (2-0)
Location: Merner Gym; Misenheimer, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs played dead even with the Falcons over the opening 10-minute period, exiting the frame knotted at 14-14 with Emily Ricks' end-to-end, buzzer-beating layup after she had pulled down a defensive rebound on the other end.
• Tyzarea Alexander's layup opened the scoring in the second period, followed by a Pfeiffer turnover and then a short jumper in the paint from Ricks to forge an 18-14 lead over the Falcons.
• The contest would turn, however, over the last eight minutes of the period as Pfeiffer went on a 12-0 run before Methodist could break the string with a Jazanae Billings steal and layup.
• Pfeiffer would out score Methodist 30-17 over the 20-minute span of the second and third quarters, creating enough of a buffer to withstand a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Monarchs, which pulled to within seven points, at 54-47, with one minute, 15 seconds to play.
• The victory gives Pfeiffer the season series sweep after taking a 67-43 decision from the home-defending Monarchs on Saturday afternoon.

NUMBERS

• Alexander paced the Monarchs with 11 points on the afternoon, earning a double-double with a game-high 12 rebounds.
• Ricks added seven points to go along with four rebounds and four steals, while Kadie Snipes dropped in nine points while pulling down eight rebounds.
• Methodist finished with a 48-44 edge in rebounding as 11 different players came away with at least one rebound, and six players accumulated at least five boards.
• It was a chilly afternoon for both teams from behind the arc. Methodist went 1-of-17 from long range, with Snipes hitting that lone make, while Pfeiffer was just 3-of-17.

UP NEXT

• Methodist plays Friday and Sunday against Averett University in the next home-and-home conference series, taking on the Cougars at home in the Riddle Center Friday at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Danville, Virginia, on Sunday for the series closer.
• Pfeiffer's weekend USA South series will be against N.C. Wesleyan College, taking on the Battling Bishops on the road before hosting the Sunday game in Merner Gym.