FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University women's basketball hosted USA South Conference foe North Carolina Wesleyan University on Tuesday, January 23, night. From start to finish, the Monarchs took charge & did not relinquish the lead at any moment in their 64-57 victory over the Battling Bishops.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 64-57
Records: Methodist 12-5 (9-1 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 8-9 (8-2)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Before the first timeout at the 6:05 mark of the opening quarter, Aniyah Tate (four points), Melissa D'Oleo (two), and Rebecca McGaughnea (two) helped Methodist jump out to an 8-3 advantage. A few minutes later N.C. Wesleyan started to generate some offensive to get within two, 10-8, but the Monarchs then closed out the frame by recording eight unanswered points.
• The start of the second period saw the two teams swapping points with each other for five minutes until Jillian Peterson drained a three to spark an 8-0 run by Methodist, to push their lead to 16 points. The Battling Bishops were able to make their own three-pointer right before the half to make the score 35-22.
• The Monarchs came out of the locker room on a 9-5 run, capped off with a Jessica Drake triple, to increase the deficit to almost 20-points. N.C. Wesleyan was then able to get within 11-points, 50-39, after outscoring Methodist 9-1 over the last 3:13 of the third quarter.
• The Monarchs looked to have the game in hand following an early seven-point swing but their advantage was put in jeopardy due to a late Battling Bishop push. Over the course of four minutes, the Monarchs went on a scoring drought and in that same time N.C. Wesleyan recorded 12 consecutive points to make it a four-point contest, 61-57, with 24 seconds left in the fourth. On the Battling Bishops second to last offensive possession, a strong defensive effort by Methodist forced an N.C. Wesleyan turnover, which in turn forced them to foul the Monarchs. The increasing fouls sent Methodist to the free throw line, where the win was secured after the Monarchs made three of their last four shots.   

MORE TO IT

• Leading the way for Methodist was Tate, who had 14 points, six rebounds, and three steals. D'Oleo (12 points) was the only other Monarch to reach double-digits in scoring.
• Turnovers and points off those turns played a major factor. Methodist was able to force 22 turnovers and capitalized by generating 30 points off them, about 47% of their total score.

UP NEXT
Methodist is back at it on Saturday, January 27, when the team travels to Pfeiffer University. Tip-Off is scheduled for 2 PM.