DANVILLE, Va.   Methodist University women's basketball used a big second quarter to jump out to a halftime lead, but host Averett University came away with a 60-48 win after four quarters of USA South Athletic Conference action Saturday evening.

The Monarchs outscored the Cougars 19-9 in the second frame to take a 29-23 advantage into intermission but Averett outpaced Methodist 37-19 in the second half to steal back the lead and the win.

In her first career start and just her second collegiate contest, Aniyah Tate rewarded Methodist with 16 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a block -- all team-highs.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Averett def. Methodist, 60-48
Records: Methodist 0-4 (0-4 USA South), Averett 2-4 (2-4)
Location: Grant Center; Danville, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the 19-point second frame, Tate had seven points and Jazanae Billings had five as Methodist shot 6-of-13 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Billings had a big impact early in the frame, scoring or assisting on the first three field goals, good for the first eight points of the quarter.
• A steal and layup from Tate put Methodist ahead 23-16 with 4:29 left in the quarter. The Monarchs would reach the seven-point margin twice more as it was the team's largest lead of the game.
• Tied at 36 with under three minutes to play in the third quarter, Averett finished the quarter on a 6-0 run. The dagger came in the form of a Rana Davis-Robinson three-pointer that put the Cougars up 51-40 with less than five minutes left. The Monarchs were only able to cut the deficit to seven before the final buzzer. 

NUMBERS

• Tate had 11 of her 16 points in the first half to guide Methodist to the lead. She finished with 6-of-13 shooting from the field.
• Billings finished with nine points and a team-high four assists. Alexander was third on the team with seven points.
• Camryn Lunsford led Averett with 21 points and eight steals. The biggest difference in the game was the Cougars ability to convert miscues into points. Averett scored 31 points off 29 Methodist miscues while Methodist turned 20 Averett turnovers into just 10 points.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs will seek their first win of the season when they visit Staunton, Va., on Friday, February 5 for a conference matchup against Mary Baldwin at 5 p.m. Methodist hosts the Fighting Squirrels on Sunday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m.
• The Cougars next set of games is against Pfeiffer University. Averett hosts the Falcons on Friday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. before visiting Misenheimer, N.C., on Sunday, February 7 for a 2 p.m. date.