February 12, 2006
Jackson rallies Lady Monarchs past North Carolina Wesleyan 66-61
Sophomore guard scores 18 points off the bench for Methodist

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – When push came to shove for the Methodist Lady Monarchs on Monday at rival North Carolina Wesleyan, Lisa Jackson stepped up. The sophomore scored 18 points off the bench to help rally Methodist past North Carolina Wesleyan 66-61 at Everett Gymnasium.

The victory ends a two-game losing streak for Methodist (12-11, 7-5). It was the Lady Monarchs’ first season sweep over North Carolina Wesleyan since the 2002-03 season.

Methodist twice led by as much as eight points in the second half and had a 58-52 lead with 3:26 remaining. However, North Carolina Wesleyan went on a 7-0 run as Liz Ansley scored five straight points and two Kimberly High free throws gave the Lady Bishops a 59-58 lead at the 1:35 mark.

But on its ensuing possession, Methodist regained the lead for good on a lay-up by center Antionett Holliday. North Carolina Wesleyan trimmed the Lady Monarch lead to 61-60 on another High free throw with 25 seconds remaining. But Jackson converted five free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory.

In addition to Jackson, Holliday recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Methodist victory offset a tremendous performance by Ansley. She scored a game-high 33 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field, 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range and a perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the free throw line. She scored 16 points in the first half as North Carolina Wesleyan (2-19, 0-12) led by as many as six points.

However, a 3-point basket by Jackson with 24 seconds remaining gave the Lady Monarchs a 26-23 lead at halftime.

For the game, Methodist was out-rebounded 45-33 by North Carolina Wesleyan, but the Lady Monarch defense stifled North Carolina Wesleyan into 27 turnovers.

Methodist closes out the regular season with two home games this weekend at the Riddle Center. The Lady Monarchs play host to Shenandoah on Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by Christopher Newport on Saturday at 2 p.m.