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January 7, 2006
 Lady Monarchs return in style with 73-53 victory over Bennett Bissette scores career-high 19 points as Methodist ends two-game skid FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The New Year started victorious for the Methodist Lady Monarch basketball team on Saturday as they rolled to an impressive 73-53 non-conference victory over visiting Bennett at the Riddle Center. The defeat ended a two-game losing skid for Methodist, which improves to 4-5 overall. The victory was the 135th for Methodist head coach DeeDee Jarman. Courtney Bissette had the hot hand for the Lady Monarchs. The sophomore wing tallied a career-high 19 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field. She drained three 3-point baskets in the first 11 minutes of the game as the Lady Monarchs jumped out to a 24-18 lead. Methodist stretched the lead to 13 points, 33-20 on an Amanda Underwood 3-point basket with 3:17 remaining. The Lady Monarchs took their largest lead of the half, 36-20 on two Doris Richards free throws at the 2:28 mark. Bennett (2-4) used its full-court pressure defense in the second half to trim the Methodist lead to 45-35 with 13:46 remaining. However, Bissette answered with a 3-point basket at the 13-minute mark, and then Stacy Williams followed with a 3-point play to make the Lady Monarch lead 51-36. The Belles trimmed the Methodist lead twice to 13 points, but would be as close as Bennett would get. Bissette drained her fifth 3-point basket at the 2:31 mark, increasing the Methodist lead to 69-52. Williams recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Monarchs, while Antionett Holliday scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Geya Norwood-Shaw added seven points. For Bennett, Tameka Monroe and Marcia Abrams each scored 13 points. Methodist opens USA South Athletic Conference play on Wednesday at rival Greensboro. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. |
