FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A 13-4 scoring run closed the first half forthe Methodist University Monarchs on Saturday as the host team opened up a 37-28 halftime lead that held up the rest of the way against Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan (1-3) matched the Monarchs (2-2) in points in the second half, as both team scored 40, but could never make a run to overtake the lead in the opening game of the InnKeeper Turkey Shootout.  The Marlins fell 77-68.

VWC returns to the tournament venue on Sunday, Nov. 25, to take on Greensboro College's Pride at 5 p.m.

Prior to the Monarchs' run to end the first half, the Marlins led most of the way, despite a cold shooting start the never really heated up throughout the game.  VWC's largest lead in the half was six points, a spread the Marlins held twice, but could not make it stick.  After Methodist took the lead late in the half, sophomore Nancy Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney)scored on a layup to tie the score at 24-all with 5:17 remaining before halftime.

Brianna Robinson (Smithfield, Va./Smithfield) gave the Monarchs the lead for good on a free throw and T.T. Taylor (Jacksonville, N.C./Southwest) scored eight straight points to build a spread that Methodist rode the remainder of the game.

Methodist started the second half with an 11-4 run to open up a 48-32 lead.  VWC's shooting woes continued in the half and Methodist took advantage en route to opening up its largest lead of the game at 55-36 with 11:40 remaining on the clock.

Virginia Wesleyan closed the gap on Methodist with a 13-5 scoring run to end the game.

The Marlins hit only 29% of their field goal attempts in the second half and 30% for the game.  Methodist nailed 55% in the half and 51% overall.  VWC struggled from three-point range, putting up 26 and hitting only three.  Methodist attempted only seven triples and hit three.

Methodist helped itself with a big day at the free throw lines and on the boards.  The Monarchs toed the charity stripes 43 times in the game and hit 28, while VWC connected on 15-of-28 attempts.  MU outrebounded VWC 53-36.

Sarah Seipp (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) finished with 12 points to lead Virginia Wesleyan, followed by Brittany Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax)and Kelly with 11 points each.  Glasco also led all VWC rebounders with nine.  Virginia Wesleyan produced 25 steals, led by Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Park) and Seipp with six each and Andrea Paphites (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne) with five.

Robinson led Methodist scoring with 21 points, followed by Christina Schrader (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) with 15.  Ayanna Peques (Raeford, N.C./Hoke County) led Monarch rebounding with 11.

--AMDG--