GREENSBORO, N.C.  Methodist women's basketball saved the best for last by earning their first win of the season in the final game of the season with a 79-69 victory over visiting Greensboro College in the USA South Athletic Conference action Monday evening.

The game featured 16 lead changes and 14 ties but Methodist never trailed following Jessica Drake's layup to give Methodist a 53-52 lead late in the third quarter. Ahead 55-54 in the fourth quarter, Kadie Snipes scored eight straight points, including consecutive three-pointers for the Monarchs to extend their lead to 63-54. Snipes would finish the game with a team-high 16 points.

Jazanae Billings scored a career-high 13 points and Jessica Drake had a personal best of her own with 11 points. Aniyah Tate recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Emily Ricks' 10 rebounds was a career-high for the senior.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Methodist def. Greensboro, 79-69
Records: Methodist 1-11 (1-11 USA South); Greensboro 6-9 (6-8)
Location: Riddle Center; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Holding a slim 67-64 lead with 4:14 on the clock, Jessica Drake converted a layup on the Monarchs' next possession. Tyzarea Alexander followed that up with a steal, leading to a LeTrice Pearson basket for a 71-64 lead. Alexander effectively sealed the game with a bucket and the "and-one" to give Methodist a 77-67 lead with 1:15 remaining.
• The Monarchs outscored Greensboro 67-51 over the final three quarters after entering the second period trailing 18-12. Over those 30 minutes, Methodist shot 52 percent (25-of-48) from the field, including 9-of-15 (60 percent) in the final quarter.
• Methodist closed out the third quarter on an 8-3 run to convert a 49-47 deficit into a 55-52 lead. Tate assisted on a Billings' layup to tie the game at 49 and then Tate came away with a steal and went coast-to-coast for a go-ahead basket. Drake and Ricks added layups at the end of the quarter.
• The Pride led 18-12 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a 7-1 run to cap the period. The Monarchs countered with a 10-4 run to start the second quarter, including a pair of Kadie Snipes 3, the second of which tied the game at 22. The lead would change hands many times before entering halftime tied at 38.

GAME NOTES

• Alexander added 14 points and a team-high three assists and three steals.
• Billings also had eight rebounds, part of a collective that out rebounded The Pride, 48-33.
• Altogether, Methodist led for over 21 minutes in the game, compared to just 10 minutes for Greensboro.
• Kiara Johnson led The Pride with 18 points.

SENIOR FAREWELL
Prior to the game Methodist honored its graduating seniors -- Alexander, Billings, Tay Hamilton, Pearson, Ricks and Snipes. Half of the group will graduate after the Spring 2021 semester while the others will graduate after the Fall 2021 semester.