 Women's Basketball |
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January 5, 2008 FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Methodist women opened USA South Conference play with a 70-54 win over the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs used an early lead to set the tempo and held off the Squirrels late to wrap up the win. Methodist moves to 5-3 this season and 1-0 in the USA South while Mary Baldwin stands at 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the USA South. It took more than three minutes for a made field goal but senior Chelsale Hester gave Methodist a 2-1 lead and the Monarchs never looked back. The team continued to extend their lead with junior Ann Forsberg hitting a jumper late in the first half to put Methodist up by 22 points. Mary Baldwin hit a jumper on the other end and Methodist closed with a free throw from junior Kristen Whitehurst to hold a 33-12 lead at halftime. The Monarchs struggled offensively early in the second half as Mary Baldwin came out on a 16-6 run cutting the lead to nine with 13:41 left on the clock. Mary Baldwin called a timeout and Methodist responded with a press break down the court to hit Forsberg for the layup. The Squirrels would cut the lead to 11 twice more, but the Monarchs came back with crucial baskets to hold them off for the 70-54 win. Forsberg led the team with 15 points and added seven rebounds. Hester, junior Zan Messer, and senior Courtney Bissette each scored nine points while junior Dezzire Gilliard led on the boards with nine. Methodist will travel to Meredith January 14 for a 7 pm tipoff. Photo courtesy of William Thomas |
