FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Meredith College basketball squad returned to action Wednesday with the USA South Conference opener at Methodist. With a four point advantage at the half, the Monarchs maintained the offensive pressure to put away the Avenging Angels 70-56 in 40 minutes.

Meredith led the battle at the free throw line shooting 63 percent to MU's 44.4, but the Angels had no answer for the triple threat of Methodist's Jalisia Campbell, Alexis Wallace, and Jasmine Canady, each who recorded double-digit performances.

Kim Hinton and Jessi Hayes combined for 11 rebounds for the Avenging Angels, but the Monarchs grabbed 52 boards to Meredith's 32 to maintain the advantage. The Angels scored 21 points from three-point range, but MU led the shooting battle shooting 45.2 percent in the win.

Hinton and Gabi Jessup led Meredith with 11 points apiece, and Hinton grabbed seven rebounds. All four of Hayes' points came with perfect shooting at the stripe, and she added three steals to go along with four boards. Laquetta Hairston led with four assists, adding five points and three steals, and Ashley Hudson finished with seven points, four steals in the loss.

MU's Campbell led the game with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and Wallace posted the Monarch's second double-double on 15 points, 15 boards.

Meredith remains on the road next week with a trip to Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the RAD Center. The Angels return to their home hardwood Sunday, Dec. 13, versus USA South foe Greensboro College before taking a short winter break.