ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Ashley Hudson netted a jumper with 27 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Meredith College basketball team a 68-67 advantage over the host N.C. Wesleyan Battling Bishops in Sunday afternoon's USA South action. The Avenging Angels would hold on for the one-point victory during Wesleyan's final offensive possession.

Both teams came out of the starting block ready to play as established during the first 10 minutes with Meredith ahead by just two at the end of the quarter.

The second period remained close with the teams tied at 22 with 4:20 left in the half. But Stephanie Girard knocked down back-to-back field goals to jumpstart a 10-0 Meredith run that would give the Avenging Angels their largest lead of the game at 1:38. N.C. Wesleyan netted two free throws to cut that lead to eight heading into the intermission.

Bishop Keshae Parker scored 11 of her game-high 18 points during the third stanza to keep the hosts within striking distance heading into the final 10 minutes of play. And the Battling Bishops used the momentum to take a 49-48 lead at 7:37 on a second-chance bucket by Daijah Davis.

Meredith continued to battle as Hudson hit a pair of free throws, and Kim Hinton scored in the paint to put the Angels back up 52-51 with just under seven minutes remaining in regulation.

A three-point play by Raven Gregory extended Meredith's lead to five, but Parker scored consecutive field goals to pull the Bishops back to within one at 5:10.

The Avenging Angels maintained their poise and converted the next three possessions to remain in front by four heading into the final 3:21. An unforced Bishop turnover allowed Meredith to call for a timeout to setup the final three minutes of play, and Wesleyan subbed in a fresh five to prepare for the finish.

The break proved ineffective for the Angels, and Wesleyan responded with a layup. Hudson hit a pair of free throws on the other end, but Wesleyan rallied with a 7-0 run to give the Bishops a 67-64 lead with 63 seconds left on the clock. But NCW missed a critical opportunity at the stripe, and the Angels took advantage during the next play to pull back to within one point.

An N.C. Wesleyan offensive foul gave the ball back to Meredith, and Head Coach Melinda Campbell whistled for a timeout to setup Hudson for what would be the final basket of the game.

Hinton led Meredith with 15 points, nine rebounds, and Gregory added a dozen points, nine boards. Hudson, Girard, and Gabi Jessup each finished with 10 points, and Hayes contributed eight points, nine rebounds.

Parker led all with 18 points for the Bishops, and Timyra Staton added 12 in the loss.

Meredith and Covenant will meet Tuesday evening at Mars Hill University to make up last month's league contest. Tipoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. from Stanford Arena. Link HERE to follow live stats.