FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Host Methodist University rebounded from a cold first half stretch to down Shenandoah University 52-50 in USA South Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon.

The Monarchs (3-5, 1-1 USA South) and SU (2-5, 0-2) were tied 17-17 at halftime thanks to some cold shooting from both squads.

The two teams combined for just two points (a Jackie Lyles jumper) in the opening five minutes, and Methodist appeared to have total control of the contest by jumping out to a 12-1 lead by the 12:52 mark.

However, Shenandoah had other ideas. The Hornets, who had only an Arianna Beard free throw at 13:03 to show for themselves in the opening eight minutes, scored the next 16 points of the game to lead 17-12 with just over three minutes remaining in the first.

The Monarchs, held scoreless for over 10 minutes, rallied by scoring the final five points of the stanza to knot the contest at 17.

Junior Ashleigh Council scored the opening bucket of the second at 19:32, starting a stretch in which the two teams traded the lead five times and were tied on four other occasions before MU finally took the lead for good.

Iesha Hayes put her club in front to stay with a three-point play at 9:34; this bucket and free throw started a 6-0 run for the hosts.

The Hornets were able to cut the deficit to two points on four occasions, the last with just over two minutes remaining when Council hit one of two from the line.

Methodist iced the game by making three of its final four attempts from the charity stripe.

Johnston paced SU with 17 points and Sierra Edwards had 10 rebounds.

Dawn Sanderson had 15 points for the victors.

Shenandoah completes this weekend trip with a 4:00 USA South Conference contest Sunday at Greensboro.