ROANOKE, Va. – The Methodist University women's basketball team concluded the 2026 Empowerment Classic against Hollins University, struggling to gain ground throughout regulation before falling short in a comeback attempt, 69-43 to Hollins at the W. Channing Howe Playing Courts on Sunday afternoon.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Hollins def. Methodist, 69-43
Records: Methodist 1-1, Hollins 2-0
Location: W. Channing Howe Playing Courts; Roanoke, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Scoring started slowly in the opening stages of the contest, with Zaria Holden for Hollins and junior Kayleen Grullon for the Monarchs both landing early jump shots for their respective programs within the first three minutes of action. Hollins rolled to a seven-point advantage midway through the period with baskets by Missy Hazard and Sarah Morales. Although junior Korin Gladden sank two baskets alongside freshman Janiah McBryde's layup, the Monarchs still held a nine-point deficit at the end of one quarter, 21-12 against Hollins.
- Hollins commanded the court in the beginning stages of the second stanza, recording a 13-0 scoring run on the back of a three-point contribution by Russell for Hollins before McBryde for Methodist drained a three-point shot with five minutes remaining in the half. Freshman Anaya Williams landed a tip-in before junior Jada Richardson recorded two additional scores for the Monarchs before the half, trailing 43-21 to Hollins.
- More scoring would accrue for Hollins at the start of the second half, with Leila Carter earning three points of her own in HU's eight-point scoring drive. Junior Giavonna Dunlap would collect a three-pointer and two points off free throws before the end of the stanza, not faring enough against Hollins' stout offense with MU trailing 60-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
- The final quarter of the match would feature solid scoring possessions by the Monarchs, featuring junior Kayleen Grullon managing the floor well off her two layups and one jumpshot. Grullon and freshman Chloe Hall added additional baskets before the clock expired in the final period, resulting in a Hollins 69-43 victory in the final game of the Empowerment Classic.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Junior Kayleen Grullon led Methodist offensively with 12 points scored, her second-straight game logging that tally in possession of the ball.
- Senior Kenya Atterbury contributed to the Monarchs offensive scoring with four assists.
- Junior Jada Richardson controlled the paint with three blocks for MU, while junior Korin Gladden snagged four steals to establish momentum for Methodist to score throughout the clash.
UP NEXT
Methodist continues their road stand against their second-straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) opponent being Averett University on Friday, November 13th at the E. Stuart James Grant Center with tip-off slated for 6:00 PM.
