November 21, 2006
Methodist Defeats Meredith 75-65
Sophomore Kristen Whitehurst scores 14 points going 6-for-6 from the free throw line

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  While many students were leaving for Thanksgiving break, the Methodist women's basketball team opened their home season with a 75-65 win over Meredith College.  A nine point lead at halftime helped to give the team a cushion in the second half to preserve the win.  Methodist improves to 1-2 while Meredith falls to 0-3.

The score was tied 4-4 early on before sophomore Amanda Underwood hit a three-pointer and senior Stacy Williams followed with two layups and a steal in between to give the Monarchs the 11-4 lead.  Meredith would never be able to regain the lead as the Monarchs extended their lead to 16 at one point in the first half. 

Meredith Angel Nicole Hall came into the game averaging 17 points per game in her first two outings, but the Monarchs held her to 7 points in the first 25 minutes.  Angel Brittany Cornelius led all scorers with 26 points and 10 rebounds. 

Williams led the Monarchs with 19 points and two blocks.  Sophomore Kristen Whitehurst followed up with 14 points of her own including going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.  She scored three put-backs after pulling offensive rebounds in the paint.

Meredith would close the gap to 6 with a little more than 6 minutes remaining in the game but the Monarchs would go on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Angels.  Williams finished a layup and sophomore Zan Messer stole the ball back where junior Ashley Harris was able to finish her rebound.  Underwood hit another three-pointer and Williams had a put-back for the 73-58 lead.  Meredith would make one more push, but the Monarchs held on for the 75-65 win.

Methodist will host the Sixth Annual Cross Creek Innkeeper Turkey Shootout on Saturday and Sunday.  The Monarchs will face Piedmont on Saturday at 8 pm before playing Guilford on Sunday at 4 pm.

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