BREVARD, N.C.  On Saturday afternon, Methodist women's basketball traveled to Brevard College in a USA South Athletic Conference bout. In a battle between two of the top teams among league leaders, the Tornadoes outlasted the Monarchs to a 73-54 win inside the Boshamer Gymnasium.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Brevard def. Methodist, 73-54
Records: Methodist 8-4 (4-2 USA South), Brevard 9-3 (6-0)
Location: Boshamer Gynasium; Brevard, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A three by Jessica Drake put Methodist up by five then a jumper by classmate Aniyah Tate gave the Monarchs a 10-2 advantage over Brevard. The Tornadoes stormed right back by scoring nine straight to take their first lead, 11-10. A bucket by Rebecca McGaughnea would give Methodist the lead once more but a Brevard went ahead 14-12 off a Chyna Pouncey three-pointer, to conclude the first quarter.
• The Tornadoes kept it rolling to begin the second as they got back-to-back threes from Alexis Marshall and Makayla Street to go up 20-12. A 6-0 spurt by the Monarchs, with Drake scoring five of the points, got them back within two of the lead, 22-20. In the last three minutes before the half, Brevard outscored Methodist to take a six-point advantage, 33-27.
• A 7-0 run by the Tornadoes, in the early part of the third frame, gave them their first double-digit lead of the contest, 43-31. Tate registered the next eight points for the Monarchs to get her team within seven but a layup by Olivia Miller of Brevard made it 48-39 heading into the fourth.
• A couple of threes by Pouncey and Lexi Shepard helped expand the Tornadoes lead to a 16-point difference, 59-43. Methodist brought the deficit down to nine, 59-50, thanks to a 7-0 run, in which Kiley Hicks scored six of the seven points. That would be the best the Monarchs got to Brevard's lead as the Tornadoes pulled away with some late free throws along with Methodist turning the ball over.

MORE TO IT

• Tate was the best player for the Monarchs in the game today. She registered her second consecutive double-double (19 pts & 11 rebs). The only player to score more than Tate was Makenna Parkins of Brevard, with a game-high 20 points.
• The Tornadoes ability to hit from long range played a factor. Brevard shot almost 50% (9 of 19) from behind the arc while Methodist only made three of their 16 attempts.

UP NEXT
Methodist is back in action on Tuesday when Pfeiffer University plays host to the Monarchs. This USA South game is scheduled to begin at 7 PM.