FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Trailing after the first quarter, the Methodist women's basketball team made the necessary adjustments to take down the Pfeiffer University Falcons in their matchup on Saturday afternoon, earning a 50–38 win. The low–scoring affair saw both teams combine for just two makes from deep, but the Monarchs were successful inside the arc, converting 50% of their two–point attempts.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Pfeiffer, 50–38
Records: Methodist 7–5 (3–1 USA So.), Pfeiffer 4–5 (3–2 USA So.)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Falcons were first to score, then two misses for both squads ensued. Seven minutes in, Pfeiffer possessed a 10–4 lead as the Monarchs had shot just 1–for–6 from the floor to start the game. Pfeiffer shot an impressive 60% (6–for–10) from the field during the first quarter, finishing the period with a 16–12 advantage. For Methodist, five different players scored, with freshman Tori Coleman leading the way with four points.
• The Monarchs began to press more on defense in the second quarter, leading to an offensive surge. Three steals in the first three minutes helped Methodist produce a 10–2 run, translating to a four–point lead. The Monarchs ended the half by scoring 10 of the last 11 points, with Methodist's final eight points coming from the hand of Kayleen Grullon.
• Methodist's 11–point lead shrank to seven as Pfeiffer's Alexis Bynum scored the first four points of the second half, but Jillian Peterson and Melissa D'Oleo responded with back–to–back buckets. Neither team performed well for the remaining seven minutes of the third period, as the Falcons produced just five points and the Monarchs were held scoreless over that span. At 36–30, the Monarchs owned just a six–point lead entering the fourth quarter.
• Rebecca McGaughnea scored a much–needed basket for Methodist from inside the paint on the first possession of the fourth quarter. Then with about eight and a half minutes still remaining, Destiny Richardson checked in for her first minutes of the game and immediately delivered a three–pointer. The Methodist lead reached as many as 13 points, and although the Monarchs were just 5–for–12 at the free–throw line in the final three minutes, they held on for a 12–point victory.

MORE TO IT

• Methodist (1–for–13) and Pfeiffer (1–for–17) both struggled from behind the arc. The Monarchs were able to find 32 points in the paint, while the Falcons totaled just 18.
• Underclassmen stepped up for Methodist, with freshman Kayleen Grullon leading the team in points (10) and sophomore Arriana White leading the team in rebounds (11). White also tallied eight points and three steals.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs wrap up their six–game homestand on Tuesday when the Meredith College Avenging Angels come to town. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the men's game (at 3 p.m. versus Southern Virginia University).