FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.   Visiting Averett University pulled away in the second half to defeat Methodist women's basketball, 58-42, in USA South Athletic Conference action Friday evening at the Riddle Center.

The Monarchs sported a 30-24 lead entering the halftime break and led for a total of 15 minutes in the game, but Averett went on a run for the ages as the Cougars outscored Methodist 34-12 in the second half.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Averett def. Methodist, 58-42
Records: Methodist 0-3 (0-3 USA South), Averett 1-4 (1-4)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After playing to a 13-13 tie in the first quarter, Methodist outscored the Cougars 17-11 in the second frame. Aniyah Tate assisted on a Jessica Drake three-pointer to give the Monarchs their largest lead (28-22) of the first half at the time. Tate's two made free throws gave Methodist the six-point lead entering intermission.
• After Jazanae Billings put the Monarchs ahead 34-30 with under seven minutes to play in the third quarter, Averett embarked on a 9-0 run for its first lead of the half with the score at 39-34. The Billings to Tate connection resulted in two easy layups and Methodist was able to cut the deficit to 39-38 with one quarter remaining.
• The Cougars were ahead 42-40 when they went on a five-minute, 11-0 run to push the lead to 53-40 with four minutes left, putting the game out of reach.

NUMBERS

• Aniyah Tate had a team-high 12 points on five-of-six shooting. She also grabbed four rebounds and registered two blocks, plus a steal.
• Kadie Snipes had 11 points as the other Monarch to join Tate in double-digits. Snipes went three-of-five from behind the arc. She now needs 31 more treys to become the program's all-time career leader in made three-pointers. She added five rebounds, two steals, and a block in this game.
• Tyzarea Alexander had a team-high seven boards, Billings led the team with four assists, and LeTrice Pearson's three steals led in that category.
• Genesis Weiters had a team-high 17 points for Averett. She was a big contributor to the Cougars' 44-12 advantage in points in the paint.

UP NEXT

• The second game of the season series between these two programs was originally scheduled for Sunday but the contest will now be played Saturday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. with Averett hosting Methodist in Danville, Va.
• The Monarchs' next pair of games is against conference foe Mary Baldwin University. Methodist visits Staunton, Va., on Friday, February 5 for a 5 p.m. game and hosts on Sunday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m.