BREAVRD, N.C.  Methodist University women's basketball played its final regular season road game on Saturday, February 10, with a USA South Athletic Conference bout against Brevard College. In the final seconds of this thrilling league contest, the Monarchs were able to edge out a 71-69 victory over the Tornados.
 
This puts Methodist conference win total at 15 for the season, which is a new program record. The previous mark, 14, was set back in the 2007-08 season.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Brevard, 71-69
Records: Methodist 18-5 (15-1 USA South), Brevard 15-7 (10-6)
Location: Boshamer Gymnasium; Brevard, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Brevard scored the opening points of the game, Jessica Drake got the Monarchs on the scoreboard with a three. A 7-0 Tornado run put them up by six, but Methodist responded right back with six unanswered points to tie it at 9-9. During the last 3:30 of the first, Brevard took advantage of the Monarchs shooting struggles and outscored them 9-2 to close out the quarter.
• To begin the second period, Aniyah Tate registered the first six Methodist points but the Tornados matched each shot to maintain a nine-point lead, 30-21. Scoring the next five Monarch points was Melissa D'Oleo to cut into the deficit, and then a triple by Serenity Webb sparked a 6-0 Methodist run to make it 34-34, with a little over two minutes remaining until halftime. The Monarchs found themselves down by three when they went into the locker room as Brevard made one more three-pointer before the clock reached zeros.
• Out of the break Methodist started the third frame on a 7-3 run to take a one-point lead, 41-40. A jumper on the Tornados next offensive possession put them in front again but that advantage would be short lived. In transition, Drake knocked down back-to-back threes to give the Monarchs a five-point edge and force Brevard to call timeout. Eventually, the Tornados gave Methodist a taste of its own medicine by making a pair of three-pointers themselves, which gave them a one-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
• After going scoreless for the last five minutes of game action, a triple by D'Oleo gave Methodist its first points since the three minute mark of the third. That would be the catalyst of a 13-7 Monarch run to tie the score at 65-65. Scoring the final six points for Methodist was Tate, including a layup that put the Monarchs up by two, 71-69, with four seconds left. Following a Tornado timeout to advance the ball, Methodist secured its win by playing solid defense to prevent any last shot attempts by Brevard.

MORE TO IT

• For the fifth time this season, Tate recorded a double-double after leading the Monarchs in scoring & rebounds with 22 & 11.
• For the seventh consecutive game, 17th time overall, Methodist forced 20+ turnovers.
• Along with her impressive passing stats, seven assists, Aneesa Irizarry was inviting members from Brevard to her block party. Her four rejections in this game match a career-high.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to Fayetteville to play USA South foe William Peace University on Wednesday, February 14. Tip-Off is scheduled for 7 PM.