FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  – Eight 3-pointers in the second half helped Methodist University defeat the Averett University women's basketball team 74-56 in a USA South conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.
 
Methodist (4-12, 4-6 USA South) was patient on the offensive end in the first half with good ball movement and constantly swinging the ball to find the open man, but the Monarchs were unable to convert on a lot of their plays shooting only 30 percent from the field.
                                                                   
Averett (6-10, 4-6 USA South) relied on its speed throughout the game by driving to the hoop but also didn't have any luck getting its shots to fall. Sophomore forward Brianna Taylor was the only Cougar who had an offensive rhythm going. She worked the post with her signature spin move to put up 18 of Averett's 26 bench points.
 
In contrast to Averett's fast-paced offense, the Monarchs continued to slow the game down with their set-up offense in the second half, and it worked for them. Methodist's shooting percentage skyrocketed to 51 percent in the second period.
 
Jalisia Campbell sank two foul shots to stretch Methodist's lead to 17 with 6:50 left to play in regulation. Later on in the second half, the Cougars switched to a full-court press and forced three turnovers, including a 10-second backcourt violation on the Monarchs. The team ended the afternoon with 27 turnovers.
 
Unfortunately for the Cougars, when the Monarchs took care of the ball and broke through the press, they knocked down five 3-pointers in six minutes to prevent the Cougars from catching up. After only hitting two 3-pointers in the first half, Methodist went 8-for-12 from behind the arc in the second half with six coming from Monique Lofton. She led the Monarchs with 18 points.
 
Alexis Wallace was a huge factor for Methodist coming off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jasmine Canady finished with 13 points, and Campbell added 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
Junior guard Jessica Myers contributed 10 points for Averett while freshman center Jonna Koski tallied eight points and 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Samm Chandler posted eight points and eight rebounds.
 
The Cougars will return to action on Wednesday to host conference opponent Ferrum College at 7:30 p.m. at Averett University's Grant Center.