NORFOLK, Va. - Methodist women's basketball used dominant second and third quarters Wednesday evening to garner its fourth victory — and third straight — of the season with a 68-52 road win over non-conference opponent Virginia Wesleyan University.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Methodist def. Virginia Wesleyan, 68-52
Records: Methodist 4-4, Virginia Wesleyan 3-8
Location: Batten Student Center; Norfolk, Virginia

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game was tight early as neither team was able to gain much of an advantage over the other. The home team managed to get out to a 14-9 lead, but the Monarchs battled back to tie the score at the end of the first period.
• Each team netted a three pointer to begin the second quarter, continuing the back-and-forth battle. Methodist went on a 9-0 run to seize the momentum with just over four minutes to play until halftime. The Monarchs continued their excellent play and took an 11-point lead into the locker room.
• Methodist scored the first eight points of the second half to take a commanding 19-point lead and kept a big lead for the rest of the quarter, going into the fourth quarter with a 52-32 lead.
• Virginia Wesleyan continued to play hard throughout the fourth stanza, but it was simply unable to keep up with the Monarchs as the visitors cruised to a 16-point victory.

MORE TO IT

• Aneesa Irizarry had an extremely efficient performance with 12 points on 6-8 shooting. She added five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks on the evening.
• The Monarchs limited Virginia Wesleyan to 24 percent shooting, including a 20 percent mark from the three-point line.

UP NEXT

• Methodist returns home for a non-conference contest against Guilford College on Thursday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
• Virginia Wesleyan has an extended holiday break before playing Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponent Shenandoah on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m.