FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist women's basketball welcomed Greensboro College to the March F. Riddle Center on Saturday afternoon, and in an instant classic, the Monarchs erased a 17-point deficit to earn an 80–76 USA South Conference victory over the Pride.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Greensboro, 80–76
Records: Methodist 6–10 (5–4 USA South), Greensboro 4–10 (1–6 USA South)
Location: March F. Riddle Center; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Giavonna Dunlap and Nyleiah White opened the game by scoring the Monarchs' first five points to give Methodist an early edge, but Greensboro answered with five unanswered points to tie the score at 5–5. After the teams exchanged baskets, Tatum Bradford sparked a 7–0 Pride run with a three-pointer, giving Greensboro its first lead of the contest, 14–9. The Pride later added another five straight points to stretch the margin to 21–13 before Korin Gladden's late basket trimmed the deficit to six at the end of the opening quarter.
- Greensboro controlled much of the second quarter, outscoring Methodist 11–4 in the first five minutes to build a 32–19 advantage. A three-pointer from Kensly Stewart pushed the Pride's lead to 42–25 with just over two minutes remaining before halftime, but the Monarchs responded with a strong finish. Methodist closed the half on a 10–2 run, with Gladden scoring four points and Jada Richardson adding three, cutting the deficit to 44–35 at the break.
- The Pride opened the second half with four quick points, but Methodist answered as Richardson, White, and Taylor Watford each scored to pull within seven, 50–43. Greensboro regained a double-digit cushion later in the quarter, extending the lead to 65–54, yet the Monarchs closed the frame with a 4–2 spurt to head into the fourth quarter trailing by eight.
- Greensboro maintained a three-possession lead for much of the opening stretch of the final quarter until Kayleen Grullon knocked down a three-pointer to ignite the crowd. A White layup made it a four-point game, 73–69, before Greensboro briefly pushed the margin back to six. Methodist continued to rally, and Dunlap capped a decisive 7–0 run with a three-pointer to give the Monarchs their first lead since the opening quarter, 76–75.
- After Greensboro tied the game at 76–76 at the free-throw line, Richardson delivered in the final moments. She converted a three-point play to put Methodist back in front and then sealed the victory with a clutch defensive play, stripping the ball away on the Pride's final possession.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Methodist's 80 points marked a season-high and the most scored by the Monarchs since an 80-point effort at William Peace last February.
- Richardson led on both ends of the floor, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
- Grullon added 15 points, Gladden scored 13, and White chipped in 10, giving Methodist four players in double figures.
- Eva McRae anchored the defense with three blocks, matching a career-high.
UP NEXT
Methodist remains at home, hosting Meredith College on Tuesday, January 20. Opening tip inside the March F. Riddle Center is scheduled for 7 PM.
