January 27, 2007
Lady Monarchs Fall Short in Overtime to Christopher Newport
Senior Stacy Williams scores 27 in the loss

FAYETTEVILLE, NC- A season-high crowd saw a tight match-up between the Christopher Newport Captains and the Methodist Lady Monarchs.  With eight ties, and 14 lead changes, both teams had the opportunity to win it before the Captains pulled out the double overtime win 86-84.  Methodist moves to 9-7 overall and 3-3 in the USA South while Christopher Newport stands at 11-6 this season and 5-1 in the conference.

The Captains led early in the first half before a layup by sophomore Zan Messer gave Methodist the 14-13 lead with 13:28 remaining.  The next few minutes had both teams trading baskets before Christopher Newport went on a 18-1 run.  Senior Ashley Smith sank a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the half to close the gap to 14.

Slowly but surely, Methodist began to cut into the lead during the second half.  During the final ten minutes of regulation, the Lady Monarchs were within three on five different occasions before they made their tying run in the final three minutes.  The Captains had a 68-63 lead with 2:48 on the clock.  Messer was fouled and hit both free throws to move within three.  The Captains missed a jumper and had the opportunity to earn two points on free throws, but missed both.  Messer was fouled again with 1:20 left and again hit both free throws.  The Monarchs were down by one and turned up their defense as Christopher Newport went 0-for-3 from the field in the final minute.  With eleven seconds left the Captains threw the ball out of bounds giving the Monarchs a final chance to score.  Messer was fouled going to the basket earning another trip to the line.  Messer hit her first to tie the game, and while the Captains grabbed the rebound on her second, time expired before they had an opportunity to score.

During the first overtime, the Captains took the lead before sophomore Amanda Underwood hit a clutch 3-pointer to move within two with 2:11 left.  Senior Stacy Williams tied the game at 75 on a layup.  Captain's player Alicia Bessey hit a jumper to regain the lead but Messer tied it at 77.  Methodist had the final possession, but a 3-point attempt rattled away as the horn signaled a second overtime.

The second overtime had both teams trading baskets again.  Sophomore Kristen Whitehurst gave the Monarchs a three point lead on a layup with less than two minutes to go, but the Captains came back two layups of their own to move ahead by one.  Methodist was forced to foul and Captain Nikki Rowland hit 1-of-2 to extend the lead to two.  The Monarchs attempt to tie the game fell short and the Captains held on for the 86-84 win.

Williams dominated the paint for Methodist with 27 points, a career-high against Christopher Newport.  Four other players scored in double figures including Whitehurst with 13, Messer with 11 and both junior Ashley Harris and senior Antionett Holliday had 10 a piece.  Holliday registered a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Methodist returns to the Riddle Center on Sunday to host Shenandoah at 2 pm.  The Student Athlete Advisory Committee will host their second annual Military Appreciation Day.

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