SALEM, Va.  Facing the Maroons of Roanoke College, the Methodist women's basketball team took to the highway on Saturday in search of their third consecutive victory. After taking a six–point lead into halftime, the Monarchs would see their lead evaporate in the second half, ultimately taking a 52–46 loss.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Roanoke def. Methodist, 52–46
Records: Methodist 2–5, Roanoke 3–6
Location: Cregger Center; Salem, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kiley Hicks got the scoring started with the first basket of the contest. After a couple minutes had elapsed, Alyssa Shazer checked in off the bench and knocked down the first three–pointer by either team to give the Monarchs a 5–3 lead. Neither team shot the ball well throughout the first quarter as Methodist went 5–for–20 from the floor and Roanoke finished 4–for–19. The Monarchs led 12–7 before a final layup by the Maroons closed the gap to three points at the end of the period.
• Both teams improved their shooting slightly in the second quarter, starting with Rebecca McGaughnea, who received a pass from Melissa D'Oleo on the baseline before sinking a jumper. Several possessions later, Hicks made a basket from the same location, extending Methodist's advantage to seven points. The Monarchs saw their lead reach 11 points when Shazer drilled her second triple of the game, making the score 27–16 with three minutes to go in the half, but the Maroons scored seven of the final nine points to make the score 29–23 at the break. The Monarchs controlled the glass in the first half, collecting 35 rebounds to Roanoke's 21.
• The third quarter was almost all Maroons, exhibited by their 11–0 run to start the period. D'Oleo stopped the hot streak with a layup, but Roanoke went right back to work as Ashley Fowler made her third basket from deep (her team's fourth of the half) with 6:42 still left in the third frame. A layup by Hicks just a few seconds before the buzzer pulled Methodist back within five (43–38) heading into the fourth quarter.
• The Maroons significantly cooled off in the fourth; They missed their first six shots from the field, shot just 2–for–6 from the free throw line, and turned the ball over four times during the first six minutes of the period. Still, the Monarchs struggled to capitalize during that time, scoring just four points of their own to make the score 45–42 in favor of Roanoke. The score reached 52–46 with two minutes remaining, and though the Monarchs saw several opportunities, they wouldn't score again.  

MORE TO IT

• Kiley Hicks recorded a double–double, leading all scorers with 14 points while adding 10 boards.
• Alyssa Shazer hit the team's only shots from distance as the Monarchs finished 2–for–22 from behind the arc.
• Methodist brought down 25 offensive rebounds and 31 rebounds on the defensive glass, setting a season high with 56 total rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs are back home next week for two USA South games, beginning with a matchup against Salem College on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.