RALEIGH, N.C. Methodist women's basketball narrowly lost their first USA South Athletic Conference game against host William Peace University 74-73 on Tuesday night in the Herman Student Center.
 
The ultimate factor in the contest was the battle at the free throw line. The Pacers proved victorious by connecting on 15 of their 20 chances for 75%, while the Monarchs shot 52.6% (10-19) from the charity stripe.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: William Peace def. Methodist, 74-73
Records: Methodist 1-4 (1-1 USA South), William Peace 2-3 (1-0)
Location: Herman Student Center; Raleigh, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A jumper by Pamela Mock of William Peace would put her team back in the lead 9-7 midway through the opening frame. After two made free throws by the Pacers, Jordan Langston of Methodist knock down a three, 13-12, to make it a one point game. The final 3:30 of the first saw William Peace outscore the Monarchs ten to six for a score of 23-18 heading into the second quarter.  
• The Monarchs tied the contest at 27 all when they scored six unanswered points, four by Kiley Hicks and two by Rebecca McGaughnea. The Pacers responded back by scoring the next five points to put them back up 32-27. The combination of Langston and Zykeria Jenkins saw Methodist go on another 6-0 run before Stephanie Chandler of William Peace put up a layup right before halftime to keep the Pacers ahead 34-33.  
• Jillian Peterson would score the first second half points for the Monarchs off a steal that led to a layup. Once William Peace regained the advantage, Methodist's own Jessica Drake nailed a three-pointer to tie the game at 42-42. The next several minutes saw both squads matching bucket for bucket until the end of the third quarter when the Pacers made a couple extra shots to be up 56-52 heading into the fourth.
• The Monarchs would tie the game again four minutes into the new frame with a three by Jenkins before Peterson made her own three to put Methodist in front 63-62. After getting down by four, Drake drove to the hoops to make the layup and was fouled on the play to send her to the free throw line, where she connected to make it 70-69.
• William Peace added on two more points before Peterson found herself driving to the basket and gets fouled on her made layup. She would miss her extra chance at the charity stripe to keep the Pacers up by one, 72-71. After two made free throws by William Peace, the Monarchs got the ball back down 74-71 with nine seconds left.
• Methodist would put the ball in Drakes hands to run the play. She saw time was winding down so she shot a contested ball that went wide, but she was fouled on the play to send her to the line for three free throws. Ultimately, she only made two of the three as time expired on the clock.

MORE TO IT

• Four Monarchs ended with double-digit points for the night, with Jenkins lead all Methodist scorers with 13.
• Methodist just out did William Peace in the rebound battle. The Monarchs came down with 38 boards while the Pacers secured 37.

UP NEXT

• Methodist does not play again until next Tuesday, Nov. 30, when the team plays host to Salem College in USA South competition at 7 PM.
• William Peace is also off until Nov. 30 as they travel to North Carolina Wesleyan College in a USA South game at 7:30 PM.