February 21, 2006
Lady Monarchs fall 57-50 at Peace in USA South Quarterfinals
Jackson scores 16, Williams scores 14 as Methodist finishes 13-13 overall

RALEIGH, N.C. – The 2005-06 season came to an end for the Methodist Lady Monarchs on Tuesday as they dropped a 57-50 decision at Peace in the quarterfinals of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. With the defeat, Methodist finishes an even 13-13 overall on the season.

Methodist struggled from the field offensively, shooting only 34 percent from the field, and only seven percent (1-for-13) from 3-point range. The Lady Monarchs never led, but stayed within striking distance of the Pacers throughout the contest. In the first half alone, Methodist managed only 24 percent shooting from the field, but trailed by only eight points at halftime.

Peace led by as many as 11 points in the first half. A jump shot by Lindy Cartwright gave Peace a 22-11 lead with 5:05 remaining in the first half. However, Methodist trimmed the deficit to six points, 24-18 on a Stacy Williams lay-up with 2:43 remaining. Two free throws by Lisa Jackson made the Peace lead 27-20, but the Pacers increased the lead to 29-21 at halftime.

In the second half, the Pacers never led by more than eight points, but Peace had an answer for every Methodist rally. A jump shot by Williams trimmed the Pacer lead to 31-27 with 17:45 remaining, and Williams then sank two free throws to make the Peace lead to 37-32 at the 13:12 mark.

Five times in the final 10 minutes, Methodist trimmed the Peace lead to four points. Lisa Jackson converted a lay-up at the 3:42 mark, and consecutive lay-ups by Antionett Holliday and Williams trimmed the Pacer lead to 54-50 with 1:43 remaining. That, however, was as close as Methodist would get.

The Lady Monarchs missed two 3-point baskets in the final 23 seconds, and Peace sealed it with two free throws by Christy Freeman with 12 seconds remaining.

Jackson paced Methodist with 16 points, followed by Williams with 14 points and Holliday scored 10 points. Cartwright scored 10 points off the bench for Peace (16-10), while Brittany Lynn, Tia Saunders, Amanda Cross and Marquida Coward each scored nine points.