CHARLOTTE, N.C. After a 13-day break, the Methodist women's basketball team returned to the hardwood Friday evening, traveling to Johnson & Wales University Charlotte for a non-conference matchup. The Monarchs battled throughout, but a decisive second-half push by the Wildcats proved too much, handing Methodist a 68–46 defeat inside the JWU Wildcat Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Johnson & Wales def. Methodist, 68–46
Records: Methodist 2–4, Johnson & Wales 6–1
Location: JWU Wildcat Center; Charlotte, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A cold shooting start from both teams led to a low-scoring opening quarter that ended knotted at 9–9. Sophomore Tori Coleman accounted for the first five Methodist points, while Giavonna Dunlap and Eva McRae added buckets to round out the Monarch scoring. Coleman's three-pointer gave Methodist a brief 5–4 edge––their only lead of the quarter.
- Methodist tied the game early in the second frame on a jumper from freshman Taylor Watford, but Johnson & Wales answered with an 8-0 run over the next five minutes. McRae helped chip away with five of Methodist's next eight points, narrowing the deficit to 24-19, but the Wildcats closed the half with four straight to lead 28–19 at the break.
- The third quarter belonged to Johnson & Wales. The Wildcats opened the period on a 15-2 run, stretching the margin quickly. McRae and Nyleiah White provided a brief spark with six combined points, but JWU responded again, ending the quarter with a 7-3 spurt to take control, 52–30.
- The fourth quarter was evenly played, with both sides scoring 16 points. Sophomore Jada Richardson led Methodist in the final frame with six points, but the deficit proved too steep.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- McRae led the Monarchs with a career-high 11 points on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting performance.
- White joined her in double figures with 10 points.
- Richardson grabbed double-digit rebounds for the third time in four games. Her 8.5 boards per game rank sixth in the USA South.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs have a week to regroup before heading to Randolph College next Friday, December 12, for a 7 PM tipoff.
