January 19, 2008
Methodist Holds Off Ferrum 62-58
Junior Zan Messer sealed the win with a free throw in the final seconds

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Ferrum tried to make a late second half comeback, but the Methodist women held them off in a 62-58 USA South win. Methodist improves to 7-4 this season and 3-1 in the USA South while Ferrum moves to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

Both teams exchanged baskets early in the first half. The Monarchs took a 14-13 lead with 7:43 to go on a jumper from senior Ashley Harris. Harris came back down and hit two layups to give Methodist a five point lead. Junior Kristen Whitehurst and Harris both went 2-for-2 from the free throw line in the final minute to extend Methodist's lead to nine at halftime.

Midway through the second half, the Monarchs took a 14 point lead on two different occasions, the first on a jumper from junior Ann Forsberg just inside the 3-point arc. After a jumper from Ferrum on the other end Forsberg hit two free throws to give Methodist the 14 point advantage again. Ferrum's Miranda Carrasco got hot from behind the 3-point line late moving to within two with 5:28 to go in the game. The Monarchs pushed the lead back to eight, but the Panthers responded with six consecutive points to move within two again. Carrasco hit a jumper with five seconds to go moving within three, but a Ferrum foul send junior Zan Messer to the line. Messer hit her second shot preserving the win for Methodist.

Harris led the Monarchs with 16 points while Whitehurst scored 14. Junior Dezzire Gilliard and Whitehurst each grabbed seven rebounds in the win.

Methodist will host Averett on Tuesday at 5:30 pm.

Box score

Photo courtesy of William Thomas