WINCHESTER, Va. – Visiting Methodist University used a sizzling first half shooting performance to key a 67-50 USA South Conference women's basketball victory over Shenandoah Saturday afternoon.

The Monarchs (5-6, 2-2 USA South) shot an even 60 percent (12 for 20) in the opening stanza to take a 34-25 lead into the halftime locker room over SU (4-7, 1-3).

The two teams traded the lead three times and were tied on one occasion in that first half before MU went on a 7-2 run to take a lead it would not relinquish.

The Hornets were able to cut the deficit to two points at three different points, the last with 2:44 remaining, before Methodist scored the final seven points of the period.

Emily Huneycutt had the last bucket by hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer right in front of the SU bench.

The two teams played it relatively even for the first seven minutes of the second before a 12-0 Methodist run from the 12:32 to 9:01 put the game away for the visitors.

 Shenandoah missed four shots from the field and committed three turnovers during this span.

MU kept the margin in double-digits the rest of the way and scored six of the game's final 10 points to post the 17-point victory.

Sam Akers paced the hosts with 15 points with Jackie Lyles registering a double-double for Methodist by hitting for 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Methodist owned a 36-29 advantage on the glass.

Shenandoah is back in action tomorrow at 2:00 against Peace.

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