ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. Competing at the 2025 Jean Edge Classic on Saturday and Sunday, the Methodist women's basketball team went 1–1 on the weekend, falling in a high-scoring matchup with the University of Lynchburg before grinding out an eight-point victory over Averett University for the team's first win of the season.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Lynchburg def. Methodist, 83–72; Methodist def. Averett, 59–51
Records: Methodist 1–2, Lynchburg 2–0, Averett 0–3
Location: Everett Gymnasium; Rocky Mount, North Carolina
VERSUS LYNCHBURG
The Monarchs quickly fell behind as the Hornets sank four shots from behind the arc during the first 10 minutes to take a 26–11 lead into the second quarter. Lynchburg extended its lead in the second quarter, heading into halftime up by 24 (44–20).
Methodist saw its most productive quarter in the third, outscoring the Hornets 29–18 to cut the difference down to 13.
Arriana White scored 10 of the team's first 13 points in the strong third-quarter effort. The Monarchs began the fourth quarter on an 8–2 run with three-pointers made by
Tori Coleman and
Miqushia Patterson to make the score 64–57. A triple by White with under five minutes to play followed by a two–point basket from Coleman closed the margin to just three points (71–68) with four minutes remaining, but Lynchburg finished the quarter on a 12–4 run to secure the win.
VERSUS AVERETT
Methodist put together an efficient first quarter, shooting 7-for-9 from the field and outscoring the Cougars 17–8. The Monarchs had their way with Averett in the paint, with
Taylor Watford,
Eva McRae,
Korin Gladden and
Nyleiah White all finding their way to the hoop (while Patterson contributed the team's sole three-pointer). The script flipped in the second quarter, as the Cougars scored the first 10 points of the quarter to take the lead. Back-to-back buckets for Watford briefly returned the advantage to Methodist, but in total Averett outdid the Monarchs 18–6 in the second quarter, carrying a slim lead of 26–23 into the halftime break.
The Monarchs clawed at the Cougars in the third, finally tying the score at 34–34 on a layup by Patterson with just over four minutes left in the period. Gladden's layup with under three minutes to go gave the Monarchs a 38–36 lead, but the score would level out twice more before
Nyleiah White reclaimed the lead for Methodist on the final made basket of the third quarter.
The Cougars knocked down their fourth triple of the day to start the fourth quarter, giving Averett the advantage once again, this time 44–42. The Monarchs were held scoreless for nearly three minutes to start the quarter, but a pair of free throws made by
Arriana White kicked off an eight-point run that sent Methodist back in front (50–46). This time the Monarchs would not relinquish the lead, outscoring their opponent 9–5 across the final four minutes of the contest.
MORE TO IT
Arriana White was named to the All-Tournament team after finishing as the team's leading scorer in both games. She recorded 23 points in the loss to Lynchburg and 11 in the win over Averett, adding eight rebounds in the win while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. The Monarchs collectively finished Sunday's game 13-for-17 at the stripe.
Jada Richardson led all players with 12 rebounds in the win as Methodist secured 55 boards compared to Averett's 36 — a staggering difference of 19 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Methodist is back at home for its next two games, starting with a USA South conference matchup against Southern Virginia University on Friday, Nov. 21. Game time is set for 6 p.m. in the March F. Riddle Center.
