STAUNTON, Va.  With the first half as its cushion, Mary Baldwin University defeated visiting Methodist women's basketball, 63-47, in USA South Athletic Conference action on Friday evening. 

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Mary Baldwin def. Methodist, 63-47
Records: Methodist 0-5 (0-5 USA South), Mary Baldwin 3-4 (3-4)
Location: Staunton, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Fighting Squirrels took a 40-23 lead into the halftime break, thanks to a 24-point second quarter. A layup by Aniyah Tate made it a seven-point, 28-21 game at the five-minute mark but Mary Baldwin closed the quarter out on a 12-2 run.
• Jazanae Billings' free throws tied the game at 8-8 in the first quarter but Mary Baldwin scored the next eight points over the remaining seven minutes. Billings' three-pointer in the second frame stopped a 10-0 Mary Baldwin run.
• Methodist ended the game on a 7-0 run which featured baskets from LeTrice Pearson, Tay Hamilton, and Tate in the final 64 seconds. The Monarchs had a slight 24-23 edge in second-half scoring.

NUMBERS

• Pearson's 15 points were a team-high for Methodist. She also had five rebounds and made two treys. 
• Tate had a team-high eight rebounds, plus six points. Kadie Snipes had a statline of seven rebounds, five points, and two assists.
• Jalen Gaethers had a game-high 16 points for Mary Baldwin.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs host Mary Baldwin on Sunday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the Riddle Center. 
• It will be back-to-back home games for the Monarchs as they will host Meredith on Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. before visiting Raleigh, N.C. on Sunday, February 14 to play at 2 p.m.