FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist University women's basketball hosted William Peace University on Wednesday night, and after a close first half, the Monarchs pulled away in the third quarter to claim a 73–55 USA South victory over the Pacers in the March F. Riddle Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. William Peace, 73–55
Records: Methodist 14–8 (9–4 USA South), William Peace 4–17 (3–10)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Methodist trio of Kiley Hicks (4), Jillian Peterson (2), and Rebecca McGaughnea (2) registered the first eight points of the ballgame before a three-pointer by Ja'Naisja Baker gave William Peace its opening points. Additional baskets by McGaughnea, Peterson, and Anessa Irizarry increased the Monarchs' advantage to nine points, 18-9, until the Pacers countered with a 6-2 run to end the quarter, making the score 20-15.
- A 9-3 run to begin the second period pushed Methodist to its first double-digit contest lead, 29-18. The Monarchs maintained their advantage as the two teams exchanged baskets for the next five minutes of game action. Then, similar to how the first quarter ended, William Peace outscored Methodist, 5-2, right before halftime to trim the deficit down to eight points, 39-31.
- Out of the break, the Monarchs were clicking on all cylinders as they stretched the score to 54-31 after recording 14 straight points and holding the Pacers scoreless for almost seven minutes. At the 3:10 mark in the third quarter, Danasia Wright scored the first second-half points for the Pacers with two free throws. An 8-4 William Peace run at the end of the third made it an 18-point difference, 59-41, heading into the final period.
- The fourth quarter saw each side record 14 more points to its total. Most of Methodist scoring came within the first four minutes as the Monarchs went on a 9-3 run, with Hicks scoring four of those points.
MORE TO IT
- Methodist had three players record ten or more points tonight. Leading the way was Hicks with 16 (game-high) followed by McGaughnea and Peterson, respectively, with 12 and ten.
- For the second time this season, the Monarchs shot over 50% from the field (33-of-65), the first since the game against Averett University.
- Methodist's Melissa D'Oleo stuffed her stat sheet against William Peace. In 27 minutes played, she tallied eight points, five rebounds, three steals, and three assists.
UP NEXT
Methodist will play its last home game of the regular season on Saturday, February 15, against Southern Virginia University. Saturday will also be the Monarchs' annual Play4Kay game. The opening tip is scheduled for 2 PM.